Artwork
The Actress Ellen Andrée
The Actress Ellen Andrée is a crayon print by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1879, *The Actress Ellen Andrée* is a drypoint print by Edgar Degas. The work captures the French actress Ellen Andrée from behind, rendered with quick, gestural lines that give the impression of a sketch rather than a polished drawing.
Subject & Meaning
Degas, more inclined to describe his practice as realist than Impressionist, chose an actress rather than his usual ballet dancers as the focus. The figure’s turned back, patterned skirt, and lifted hat suggest a moment of preparation or transition, hinting at the performer's private side beyond the stage.
Technique & Style
The print was produced with drypoint using an electric crayon, a method that incises lines directly into the plate. This creates a characteristic burr that yields soft, textured edges, lending the image a lively, almost spontaneous quality that contrasts with Degas’s more refined pastels and oils.
History & Provenance
Degas executed the work during a period when he was expanding his printmaking practice, experimenting with various media beyond his celebrated pastels and sculptures. The print reflects his interest in contemporary theatrical life and his ongoing exploration of the human figure in motion.
Context
In the late 1870s, Parisian theater and ballet were central to cultural life, and Degas frequently observed performers in rehearsal spaces. This print aligns with his broader series of works documenting performers, yet it stands out by portraying an actress, offering insight into the broader entertainment world of the time.
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.
