Three Heads 1871

Edgar Degas created “Three Heads” with oil paint on canvas, using a technique known as *alla prima*, or “at once.” Degas embraced this method, applying paint in a direct, unblended manner, which was made possible by innovations in the paint industry. The availability of pre-mixed paints in tubes freed artists from the time-consuming task of grinding their own pigments. You can see in this image that the visible brushstrokes and rich palette lend a raw, immediate quality to the faces of the three men. Degas was part of a generation of artists who benefited from advances in the commercial manufacturing of art supplies. This increased accessibility of materials democratized artistic practice, allowing painters to focus on capturing fleeting moments and exploring personal expression, which in turn expanded the boundaries of what art could be. We can appreciate the artist's skill and sensitivity as he captures the human form in a moment of time.