Two Men
ca. 1865–69
Medium
Oil on wood
Dimensions
10 5/8 x 8 1/8 in. (27 x 20.6 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Department
European Paintings
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Yvonne Lamon, 1992
Accession Number
1992.380
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created around 1865–69, Edgar Degas’s *Two Men* captures a quiet moment between two figures during the artist’s formative years. Though often linked with the Impressionists, Degas preferred to think of himself as a realist, and this small oil on wood panel reflects his early interest in modern life and careful observation of human posture and interaction. The modest scale—roughly the size of a sheet of paper—suggests an intimate study rather than a formal commission, inviting viewers to lean in and share the private exchange. Working on wood allowed Degas to achieve fine detail and a smooth s...
About the Artist
Edgar Degas · 1834–1917
Edgar Degas (1834-1917) stands as one of the most innovative artists of the nineteenth century, whose distinctive vision transformed how modern life could be depicted on canvas. Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas in Paris to a wealthy banking family—his father French, his mother a Louisiana Creole from New Orleans—Degas received a classical education before abandoning law studies in 1855 to pursue ...