Who painted Two Seated Women (verso)?

Two Seated Women (verso) was painted by Edgar Degas in 1858.

Where can I see Two Seated Women (verso)?

Two Seated Women (verso) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Two Seated Women (verso)?

Two Seated Women (verso) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Two Seated Women (verso)

Edgar Degas , 1858

Two Seated Women (verso) is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1858, this drawing titled Two Seated Women (verso) is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Executed in charcoal or pencil, the work presents a quiet interior scene in which two women sit opposite one another, their postures and attire suggesting a moment of informal conversation.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on the two figures: the woman on the left wears a dark, modest dress and has her hair pulled back, while her counterpart on the right is dressed in lighter clothing with an up‑do hairstyle. The sparse setting and lack of decorative background keep attention on the interaction between the pair, hinting at everyday domestic life.

Technique & Style

Rendered with swift, confident strokes, the drawing employs bold contour lines and limited shading to suggest volume and texture. The artist’s economical handling of detail creates a sense of immediacy, while subtle tonal variations give the faces and garments a three‑dimensional presence despite the minimalistic environment.

History & Provenance

The piece was produced early in the artist’s career, predating his later, more widely known Impressionist paintings. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains a representative example of the artist’s early exploration of figure drawing and interior scenes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Edgar Degas

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.