Artwork
Stefanina Primicile Carafa, Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi
Stefanina Primicile Carafa, Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This portrait depicts Stefanina Primicile Carafa, Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi, an aunt of the artist Edgar Degas. The painting shows an older woman seated in a chair, dressed in black.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is portrayed in a mourning dress, possibly in response to the recent death of her brother. Despite her noble title, she is not adorned with luxurious attire or jewelry, instead conveying a sense of stoicism and world-weariness.
Technique & Style
The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that employs strong contrasts between light and dark, is evident in the portrait, shaping the subject's face and emphasizing her features.
History & Provenance
Degas likely created this portrait during an extended visit to Naples, where many of his relatives resided. The sitter, Stefania Carafa, was known from family papers to have been a fun-loving child who grew into a more subdued adult.
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.
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Stefanina Primicile Carafa, Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi