Who painted At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs)?

At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs) was painted by Edgar Degas in 1880.

Where can I see At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs)?

At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs)?

At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs)?

Museum-quality prints of At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs)

Edgar Degas , 1880

At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Markings: Marked:recto: Alexis Hubert Rouart (Lugt 2187a); verso: none

About this work

Overview

At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs), created in 1880, is a print by Edgar Degas, executed in etching, aquatint, and drypoint on wove paper. While Degas is often linked to Impressionism, he identified as a realist. This work deviates from his common subject of dancers, instead capturing a moment in a Parisian café.

Subject & Meaning

The etching portrays a quiet, intimate scene of two women in a dimly lit café corner. One woman holds a fan with her hand on the table, while the other reclines, her face partially illuminated by a lamp. The composition conveys Degas’s fascination with urban leisure and the nuances of social interaction in public spaces.

Technique & Style

Degas’s mastery of draftsmanship is evident in the meticulous rendering of figures and atmospheric detail. The interplay of sharp lines and rough textures effectively captures the contrast between light and shadow, characteristic of his realist approach. The worn appearance of the paper underscores the tactile quality of the etching process.

History & Provenance

Created in 1880, the exact provenance of At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs is not detailed here, though it is known to be part of Degas’s broader exploration of Parisian life through various artistic mediums.

Context

This work reflects late 19th-century Parisian social life, where cafes served as hubs for leisure and observation. Degas’s choice of subject aligns with the Realist movement’s focus on everyday life, albeit with a unique, more intimate perspective.

Legacy

At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs contributes to Degas’s legacy as an observant chronicler of modern life. Though less known than his dancer series, it showcases his versatility across subjects and mediums, influencing subsequent artists in capturing the intricacies of urban existence.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Edgar Degas

Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas on 19 July 1834 in Paris, Edgar Degas came from an affluent banking family with aristocratic roots and spent his childhood among the cultivated circles of the French capital.