Artwork
Alphonse Hirsch
Alphonse Hirsch is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Though Degas is chiefly remembered for his studies of ballet, this portrait demonstrates his broader interest in individual character studies.
Created in 1875, this print by Edgar Degas presents a seated gentleman rendered in drypoint and aquatint on a sturdy sheet of wove paper. The work measures modest dimensions and is executed in a restrained palette, with the figure set against a muted, light‑brown ground. Though Degas is chiefly remembered for his studies of ballet, this portrait demonstrates his broader interest in individual character studies.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified as Alphonse Hirsch, appears with a neatly trimmed beard, short hair, and a neutral expression. He wears a dark jacket, tie, and formal attire that suggest a professional milieu. The composition focuses on his face and upper torso, inviting contemplation of his inner demeanor rather than narrative action, and reflects Degas’s realist inclination to capture ordinary people with dignity.
Technique & Style
Degas employed drypoint to incise fine lines that define the facial features, while aquatint was used to build tonal washes that give the paper a soft, velvety background. The combination allows subtle gradations of shadow, creating depth and a tactile quality in the fabric and skin. The print’s restrained line work and controlled tonal range exemplify Degas’s mastery of printmaking as an extension of his drawing practice.
History & Provenance
The image is a restrike, meaning it was printed after the original plate’s initial production, a common practice for Degas’s prints to meet demand. It remains part of the artist’s extensive print oeuvre, which was catalogued in the late 19th century. The work has passed through several private collections before entering museum holdings, where it is displayed as evidence of Degas’s versatility beyond his more celebrated pastel and oil works.
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.
