Paul Lafond and Alphonse Cherfils Examining a Painting
1879
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1879
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
You see two men standing close, studying a small painting held between them. One man wears glasses; the other has a beard. The room feels dim, with soft light falling on their faces and hands. Degas painted this for his friends—Paul Lafond, who later ran a museum, and Alphonse Cherfils, who helped Impressionists get shown. The dedication in the corner makes it feel personal, like a snapshot of trust. Look up more works by Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917) to see how he painted everyday moments.
