Mlle Bécat c. 1877 - 1878

Edgar Degas created this print of Mlle Bécat using etching and aquatint, techniques that allowed for the creation of tonal effects through controlled corrosion of a metal plate. Degas was a prominent figure in the Impressionist movement in France, known for his depictions of modern life, particularly ballet dancers and female nudes. Here, we see a woman, Mlle Bécat, represented in a style that diverges from traditional portraiture. Degas captures her with a certain unidealized realism, perhaps challenging the conventional representations of women in art. The print, made with a monochromatic palette, invites us to consider the social context of women in 19th-century Paris and the limited roles they often occupied. Degas said, “It is essential to do the same subject over and over again.” He approached his art as an exploration of modern life and modern people. The emotional depth of this work lies in its candid portrayal of a woman, and leaves us to reflect on the dynamics of representation and identity.