Self-Portrait 1856

This is Edgar Degas' self-portrait, an intimate glimpse rendered in oil on canvas. Degas' engagement with the materiality of paint is evident here. He coaxes form from the viscous substance, using its inherent qualities of color and texture to bring his likeness into being. Looking closely, you can see how he built up layers of pigment, creating depth and dimension. The visible brushstrokes give the surface a lively quality. The way that Degas handled the paint isn't radically innovative; it's rooted in the academic tradition. Oil paint was, by this point, a highly industrialized material, readily available for purchase. Yet, the work required labor, both in the preparation of the canvas and the application of the paint. This piece reflects a specific moment in the history of painting, when it was still a craft-based practice, yet already enmeshed in the burgeoning systems of art commerce. So, as you look at this painting, consider not only the image it presents but also the materials, the making, and the context that gives it meaning.