Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

At the Theater: The Duet

Edgar Degas
1834-1917

At the Theater: The Duet

1877-1879
plate: 4 7/16 x 7 1/16 inches (138 x 180 mm); on sheet: 5 3/8 x 7 1/16 inches (136 x 179 mm), irregularly trimmed at lower right
Pastel over monotype in black ink.
2017.56

Thaw Collection.

Notes
Degas often experimented by mixing drawing media and printmaking techniques. In this case, he first produced a monotype of two singers on stage seen from behind with a view to the audience--a perspective that exploits the intimacy and the proximity to performers that Degas (and other wealthy patrons) enjoyed through privileged behind-the-scenes access. Degas then enlivened the general, slightly abstracted forms of the print with richly colored pastels. The two popular singers depicted here, Emélie Bécat and Theresa (Emma Valadon), appear in other works by Degas. -- Exhibition Label, from "Drawn to Greatness: Master Drawings from the Thaw Collection"
Inscriptions/Markings
Watermark: none.
Signed at left, in black chalk, "Degas".
Associated names
Brown, John Lewis, former owner.
Hirsch, Robert von, former owner.
Thaw, Eugene Victor, former owner.
Thaw, Clare, former owner.
Bibliography
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, NY, "Drawn to Greatness: Master Drawings from the Thaw Collection", 2017. Exh. cat., no. 82, repr.
Denison, Cara D. et al. The Thaw Collection : Master Drawings and New Acquisitions. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1994, no. 79.
Artist
Classification
Century Drawings
School
Department