Degas's Blurred Pianist: A Detail That Steals the Show
Catherine Millet reflects on a detail in Edgar Degas's "La Répétition de chant" (circa 1873), on view at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris from September 24, 2019, to January 19, 2020. While the painting's main subjects are two women rehearsing a song, Millet is captivated by the blurred head of the pianist, identified as Degas's younger brother René de Gas. She describes the kinetic effect of the imprecise brushwork and the pianist's attentive gaze, which she interprets as enamored. The detail evokes a powerful empathy that fractures aesthetic appreciation, regardless of the models' familial relationships.
Key facts
- Edgar Degas's 'La Répétition de chant' is on display at the Musée d'Orsay, Paris, from September 24, 2019, to January 19, 2020.
- The painting dates to circa 1873 and measures 81 x 65 cm.
- Catherine Millet focuses on the blurred head of the pianist, believed to be René de Gas, the artist's younger brother.
- The main subjects are two women rehearsing a song, but Millet finds the pianist's detail more compelling.
- Millet describes the pianist's expression as 'enamored' and notes the kinetic impression of his blurred features.
- The detail triggers a sense of realism and empathy that overrides formalist appreciation.
- The painting is part of the exhibition 'Degas à l'opéra' at the Musée d'Orsay.
- Millet's text was published in artpress on November 18, 2019.
Entities
Artists
- Edgar Degas
- René de Gas
- Catherine Millet
Institutions
- Musée d'Orsay
- artpress
Locations
- Paris
- France
Sources
- artpress —