Study for a Portrait of Marguérite de Gas 1859 - 1860

Edgar Degas made this graphite study for a portrait of his sister, Marguérite de Gas, in France during the late 19th century. Degas was part of the Impressionist movement that sought to capture fleeting moments in modern life and challenge the rigid academic art establishment, by moving away from historical and mythological scenes toward everyday subjects. His choice to portray his sister in an informal and intimate setting could be seen as a progressive move, reflecting the era’s changing social dynamics and the growing importance of family relationships. The sketch-like quality of the drawing, with its unfinished face and delicate lines, reflects the Impressionist focus on capturing immediate impressions rather than striving for perfect representation, but it is also indicative of the artist’s own ambivalence towards the traditions of portraiture itself. To truly understand Degas' work, we can examine the artistic and social history of nineteenth-century France through its exhibition history, the popular press, and family records, all resources to consider how art reflects and shapes its cultural context.