Degas
1875
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1875
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Degas is a 1875 ink by Marcellin-Gilbert Desboutin, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a portrait of a man, drawn in a style that emphasizes lines and shading. The subject is depicted in profile, facing right, with his hair cut short and a beard framing his face. He wears a loose-fitting shirt with the collar open, and his gaze is directed downward. The drawing is rendered in a range of dark and light tones, with bold lines defining the contours of the face and body. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, as if the subject is lost in thought. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's eye into the image. To learn more about this technique, explore the art of sfumato.
