Portrait of Edgar Degas (cancelled) 1875 - 1876

Marcellin Desboutin captured this etching of Edgar Degas, his fellow artist and frequent subject, in 19th century France, a period marked by significant social and political change. Desboutin, known for his portraits of Parisian life, here depicts Degas in a moment of contemplation, his hand thoughtfully placed against his face. Degas' gaze drifts off, the artist seemingly unaware of Desboutin's gaze. The work's title, 'cancelled', hints at a complex dynamic between the two artists, raising questions about artistic control, representation, and the male gaze. Though both men moved within similar social circles, as white European men, their experiences of class and social standing, would inevitably have varied. The delicate lines of the etching capture not just Degas’ likeness, but perhaps also the nuanced and often unspoken power dynamics inherent in the act of portraiture. The cancelled nature of the work seems to underscore these tensions.