Portrait of Madame Dietz-Monnin (formerly Head of a Woman) 1877 - 1879

This drawing of Madame Dietz-Monnin was made by Edgar Degas, using graphite on paper. In this portrait, Degas has used the humble pencil to great effect, demonstrating his technical skill. Observe the delicate rendering of the fur trim on Madame Dietz-Monnin’s coat. Degas coaxes the graphite to create the illusion of soft, dense material, through careful control of pressure and shading. He captures subtle gradations in tone and texture with the minimum of means. Consider the amount of labor involved in producing such a refined drawing. Each line is carefully placed, each shadow thoughtfully rendered. The apparent ease of the drawing belies the effort required to master the medium. Degas elevates the everyday material of graphite, revealing its potential for creating beauty and expression. This emphasis on materials, making, and context, reveals the power of craft to enrich our understanding of art.