Portrait of Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas (1834-1917) 1876

Curator: This is Marcellin Desboutin's drypoint etching, a portrait of his friend, Edgar Degas. It's housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's a vulnerability to it, a raw sketchiness that feels like catching a glimpse of Degas off-guard. Curator: Desboutin and Degas shared a close artistic milieu, both deeply involved in the burgeoning Impressionist movement. This portrait offers an intimate view, beyond Degas' more public persona. Editor: It's funny seeing the great Degas so…contained. He seems almost melancholic here. Curator: Portraits like these can be revealing, showing how artists saw each other within the context of artistic communities, shaping movements and legacies. Editor: It makes you wonder about their conversations, their shared struggles, and maybe even a little bit of rivalry behind the scenes. Curator: Indeed. Such portraits become artifacts, chronicling the complex tapestry of artistic relationships. Editor: Definitely gives you a whole new perspective.