Edgar Degas - Mademoiselle Malo 1877

Mademoiselle Malo 1877
Mademoiselle Malo
1877 29x23cm pastel on wove paper
Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham

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From Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham:
Degas began to use pastel for portrait studies in the 1870s and this fine example is one of the earliest. Degas appreciated the qualities of suggestiveness and spontaneity which can be achieved in the medium. This can be seen here in the contrasting effects of the delicate modelling in the face and the rougher textures of the dress. The study was used as the basis for a larger portrait in oil.