Artwork
Stefanina Primicile Carafa, Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi
Stefanina Primicile Carafa, Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
Edgar Degas created this portrait in 1875 while working in France. The painting depicts Stefanina Primicile Carafa, who held the titles of Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi. The work eventually entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1958.28.
Context
It contributes to scholarly understanding of his approach to composition and characterization within his portrait oeuvre.
Degas' portrayal of Stefanina Primicile Carafa, Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi, was created in 1875 and is held in the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work has been discussed as an example of Degas' engagement with aristocratic subjects during his earlier period, reflecting broader themes of portraiture and social identity in late 19th-century France. It contributes to scholarly understanding of his approach to composition and characterization within his portrait oeuvre.
Overview
Edgar Degas painted the portrait of Stefanina Primicile Carafa, Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi, in 1875. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed among the museum’s 19th‑century European paintings.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents the aristocratic sitter from the shoulders up, her hair gathered back and her expression composed. She is dressed in a high‑necked black gown, a choice that emphasizes the formality of her rank while allowing the artist to focus attention on her facial features.
Technique & Style
Degas employs loose, gestural brushwork, especially in the darkened background that dissolves into warm brown and red tones. Areas such as the collar remain intentionally unfinished, with visible strokes that contrast with the smoother rendering of the face, heightening its prominence within the composition.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
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