Portrait of Edgar Degas, wearing a hat 1876

Marcellin Desboutin created this drypoint etching, "Portrait of Edgar Degas, wearing a hat", sometime in the late 19th century. Notice the figure's placement within a rectangular boundary. Desboutin skillfully uses etching to give the figure form and depth using just the pressure of line. Observe how the composition invites our reading. The figure of Degas stands almost like an imprint, rendered in delicate lines that capture his posture and attire. The slight diagonal tilt of his hat mirrors the angle of his body, creating a subtle, dynamic tension. The choice of drypoint etching as a medium contributes to the work's intimate feel; the fine, almost fragile lines lend a sense of immediacy and impermanence. Consider how Desboutin’s lines engage with absence and presence, suggesting a figure caught between visibility and invisibility. This approach is a commentary on the nature of portraiture itself, questioning what it means to capture an individual's likeness. As you reflect on this print, consider how its formal qualities not only define the image of Degas but also prompt a deeper inquiry into the art of representation.