The Jewels 1886

Edgar Degas created "The Jewels" using pastel on paper. The powdery, almost chalky quality of pastel is critical to this image. Degas was interested in conveying the effects of light and atmosphere, and pastel was perfect for that. Notice how the colors seem to shimmer and vibrate on the surface, especially around the woman's dress and the objects on the table. This wasn't just about depicting a scene, but about capturing a fleeting moment, an impression. Pastel allowed Degas to work quickly and directly, layering and blending colors to create subtle gradations and textures. It was a medium that allowed for both precision and spontaneity, mirroring the artist’s acute observation and psychological insight. The use of pastel, historically associated with preparatory sketches and the "feminine" rococo, was elevated to high art by Degas’s radical compositions, acute observation, and ability to capture the fleeting nature of modern life. In "The Jewels," Degas blurs boundaries, inviting us to see the beauty and significance in the everyday.