Angel Blowing a Trumpet 1857 - 1859

Edgar Degas made this striking drawing of an Angel blowing a trumpet, most likely in France, using pencil. It is an interesting subject for Degas, who is best known for his paintings of ballerinas and racehorses. The figure might appear to be a straightforward study of classical art, reminiscent of the idealized nudes found in antiquity and Renaissance art. However, we could also read it as a commentary on the social conventions of the 19th century art world. Degas made the drawing during a period in which the French Academy still held considerable sway over artistic taste, and artists were encouraged to study classical forms. By depicting an angel, a traditional subject matter, Degas engages with the artistic conventions of his time, whilst also displaying his masterful command of form and technique. Examining letters, diaries, and exhibition reviews from this time, helps us understand the ways in which artists negotiated the complex social and institutional landscape of the 19th century art world.