Portræt af Monsieur Hermann de Clermont 1877 - 1880

Edgar Degas made this portrait of Monsieur Hermann de Clermont using charcoal, a humble material offering immediate expressive possibilities. The powdery, almost ephemeral quality of charcoal allows Degas to capture the fleeting moment, the texture of Clermont's beard, and the drape of his clothing. Note the contrast between the more defined lines of the sitter's figure and the suggestive, almost ghostly rendering of the background. The grain of the charcoal creates a soft focus, imbuing the scene with a sense of intimacy. The very act of applying the charcoal – the pressure, the angle, the layering – becomes visible. Charcoal has been used for centuries, but in the 19th century, it found new purpose in capturing the rapid pace of modern life. Degas embraces this immediacy, elevating a common material to create a timeless portrait. The choice of charcoal challenges the traditional hierarchy between drawing and painting, inviting us to consider the value of simple materials and direct expression.