Artwork
Woman by a Fireplace
Woman by a Fireplace is a print by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Woman by a Fireplace is a 1885 print by Edgar Degas, a French artist known for his diverse body of work on paper, in pastel, and in oil. The work is a monotype on heavy laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a woman seated by a fireplace, wrapped in a blanket. Her face is partially obscured by her hand. The dimly lit room includes a tall mirror and a nearby lamp, creating a quiet domestic scene.
Technique & Style
Degas employed monotype to achieve subtle tonal effects, showcasing his skill in draftsmanship. The loose, rough lines suggest a rapid sketching process, characteristic of Impressionist techniques.
Context
Degas was associated with the Impressionist movement, although he identified as a realist. His work often explored interior scenes, diverging from the typical Impressionist focus on outdoor settings.
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.
Woman Reading (Liseuse)
The Murder (Le Meurtre)
Passage d'une Ame (Passage of a Spirit)
Susanna im Bade (Susanna in the Bath)
Misery (La Misère)
Interieur mit Stehlampe (Interior with Floor Lamp)
Reclining Female Nude (recto); Architectural Design (verso)
Reclined Woman Sleeping (Femme couchee sommeillant)
A Nude Woman in a Fur Wrap
Greeting Grandmother (Le Bonjour à la Grand-mère)
Waiting
Woman at Her Toilette (La toilette)