Edmond Duranty 1879

Edgar Degas made this portrait of Edmond Duranty with graphite on paper. It is a drawing, a medium that seems humble in comparison to oil paint, but is actually fundamental to the entire history of Western art. Here, Degas uses graphite to great effect. Notice the cross-hatching, a technique where layers of lines are built up to create shading and volume. This labor-intensive process captures the weighty presence of Duranty. Degas uses these elemental marks to achieve a remarkable sense of detail, particularly in the face, which is rendered with deep concentration. The result is a sense of immediacy. Duranty’s hand raised to his brow suggests a moment of profound thought. This portrait also raises questions about the artistic labor involved in its making, and invites us to consider the status of drawing in relation to painting. Graphite is a cheap material but it is also fundamental to the high arts. It's a reminder that all artistic creation, whether a sketch or a finished painting, involves the transformation of materials through skilled labor.