Study of a Draped Figure 1857 - 1858

Edgar Degas made this drawing, Study of a Draped Figure, using graphite and charcoal on paper. Although undated, it reflects a practice deeply embedded in the 19th-century French artistic tradition. Here, we see Degas engaging with academic conventions of his time: life drawing and the study of drapery. These exercises were fundamental to art education, particularly at institutions like the École des Beaux-Arts, where Degas himself trained. The ability to render fabric convincingly was a key signifier of artistic skill, and the study of classical sculpture was a vital tool in learning to achieve this effect. These studies weren't simply technical exercises; they were social rituals. They reflect the values and priorities of a particular cultural moment. We can learn about the era’s artistic aspirations by studying the work itself in conjunction with archival material such as student records, exhibition catalogues and critical reviews. This allows us to understand the drawing not just as an individual achievement, but as a product of social and institutional forces.