Edgar Degas

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Edgar Degas
1834-1917
Self-Portrait and Details of Hand and Eye
ca. 1856-1857
Black chalk.
7 3/16 x 10 7/16 inches (183 x 267 mm)
Thaw Collection.
2010.117

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Watermark: Cursive "F.Camera".

Provenance: 
Degas Atelier (Lugt 657); Marcel Guérin, Paris; Daniel Guérin, Paris; Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw, New York.
Bibliography: 

Thaw Catalogue Raisonné, 2017, no. 77, repr.
Stampfle, Felice, and Cara D. Denison. Drawings from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene V. Thaw. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1975, no. 91.

Notes: 

A series of self-portraits, drawn and painted, emerged from Degas' youthful period, before 1859. These two studies were private exercises in proficiency and discipline and remained in portfolios in Degas' studio until his death. In the Renaissance manner, Degas explored his visage using light and shadow to model form, deftly achieving subtle effects with fine black chalk. Executed on half sheets from the same stock of French paper, these studies may have been undertaken just prior to or shortly after his arrival in Rome. --Exhibition Label, from "Degas: Drawings and Sketchbooks"

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Associated names: 

Guérin, Marcel, 1873-1948, former owner.
Guérin, Daniel, former owner.
Thaw, Eugene Victor, former owner.
Thaw, Clare, former owner.

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