Artwork
Portrait of Henri Michel-Lévy
Portrait of Henri Michel-Lévy is an oil painting by Edgar Degas. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of Henri Michel-Lévy is an oil painting by Edgar Degas, dated to 1890. The work is part of the collection at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Henri Michel-Lévy standing in a relaxed posture, with a woman, possibly an artist, seated on the floor beside him, engaged in painting. The scene suggests an informal, creative environment.
Technique & Style
Executed in a realistic style, the painting emphasizes detail and texture. The color palette is subdued, featuring predominantly greens, browns, and muted pink tones.
History & Provenance
Created in 1890, the portrait is now housed at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, though specific details of its acquisition history are not provided here.
Context
While the woman's identity is not specified, her presence with art supplies alongside Michel-Lévy implies a setting that may blend personal and artistic spheres, characteristic of Degas' observational approach to contemporary life.
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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