The Fireside 1871 - 1882

Editor: This is "The Fireside," a charcoal drawing by Edgar Degas, likely created between 1871 and 1882. It has such an intimate and shadowy feel. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's as though we've stumbled into a secret corner, hasn’t it? The charcoal feels almost like smoke, clinging to the figures. It’s moody, sure, but what fascinates me is the storytelling. See how the fire's light touches one nude figure reclining, while another stands bathed in shadow. It whispers of private moments, of stories half-told. It feels unfinished and almost voyeuristic at the same time! Do you get that feeling too? Editor: Yes, I totally get that. Voyeuristic is a great word for it. It's as if we're glimpsing a moment we shouldn’t be seeing. So what do you think Degas was trying to say? Curator: Perhaps less saying and more… suggesting. Degas was fascinated by capturing fleeting moments, a candid perspective of his subjects. It could be as simple as a curiosity regarding light, a sketch really. Notice the ambiguity; the story lives between the dark and light strokes. Instead of revealing all, Degas gives us the room to fill in the blanks ourselves. Don’t you think it's more powerful that way? Editor: I think it is. It's more engaging when the artist doesn't give you all the answers. It's such a fascinating use of charcoal to create such an intriguing space and narrative. Curator: Indeed. Art isn't just what we see, it's about how we feel, what we imagine!