Two Men 1865 - 1869

Edgar Degas's "Two Men" (1865-1869) is a striking portrayal of two figures captured in a moment of casual interaction, showcasing the artist’s early exploration of Impressionism. The work, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, employs a dark palette and loose brushstrokes, characteristic of Degas's style. The composition is intimate, focusing on the figures’ postures and gestures against a shadowy backdrop. Degas’s signature use of cropped forms and informal arrangement creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, characteristic of his later explorations in portraying everyday life.