Analysis of Edgar Degas' Portrait 'Girl in Red' and Its Historical Context
An article examines Edgar Degas' painting 'Girl in Red,' created around 1866, held at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The work portrays model Emma Dobigny, who posed for Degas and other artists like Pierre Puvis de Chavannes and Camille Corot in the 1860s and 1870s. Degas, born in Paris in 1834, shifted from law to art, studying at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Louvre, and later focusing on modern Parisian scenes. The painting features a warm color palette with red tones and reflects Degas' unsentimental approach to portraiture. The piece highlights Degas' artistic evolution and his preference for non-commissioned subjects, offering insight into 19th-century French art.
Key facts
- Edgar Degas painted 'Girl in Red' circa 1866, using oil on canvas.
- The model is believed to be Emma Dobigny, a professional model active from 1865 to 1874.
- The artwork is part of the Chester Dale collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
- Degas studied art in Paris and Italy, influenced by modern life and artists like Édouard Manet.
- The painting showcases a warm palette with red and green contrasts, emphasizing Degas' portrait style.
Entities
Artists
- Edgar Degas
- Édouard Manet
- Pierre Puvis de Chavannes
- Camille Corot
Institutions
- National Gallery of Art
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
- Art Students League of New York
Locations
- Paris
- Washington, D.C.
- New York, N.Y.
- Glasgow, Scotland