Artwork
Virginie Being Admired While the Marquis Cavalcanti Looks On
Virginie Being Admired While the Marquis Cavalcanti Looks On is a pastel print by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1876 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1876, *Virginie Being Admired While the Marquis Cavalcanti Looks On* is a monotype print by Edgar Degas, executed in black ink on wove paper with selective pastel enhancements. Characteristic of Degas' diverse practice, this work blends printmaking with drawing techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The piece depicts a social scene with three figures in a dimly lit space. A woman, identified as Virginie and distinguished by a red bow, sits on a stool with a fan, while two men, one of whom is the Marquis Cavalcanti, observe from nearby. Their attire suggests a formal gathering.
Technique & Style
Degas employed loose, smudgy brushstrokes in black ink, supplemented with orange pastel accents, notably on the floor. The overall effect is spontaneous, akin to a rapid sketch rather than a meticulously finished work, highlighting Degas' ability to convey immediacy.
History & Provenance
No specific historical ownership or exhibition details are provided for *Virginie Being Admired...* beyond its creation circa 1876 by Edgar Degas, an artist more aligned with realist tendencies despite his association with Impressionist circles.
Context
This work reflects Degas' interest in capturing contemporary social life, a theme common in his oeuvre across various mediums. The subject matter and technique also subtly allude to the artist's broader exploration of light, shadow, and human interaction in everyday settings.
Legacy
While *Virginie Being Admired...* may not represent Degas' most celebrated works, it contributes to the understanding of his experimental approach with monotypes and pastels, as well as his enduring fascination with the social dynamics of his 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.
