Two Men 1865 - 1869

This painting, *Two Men*, was made by Edgar Degas with oil on canvas. Degas has used thin layers of paint to achieve a muted, shadowy atmosphere. The loose brushwork almost obscures the figures, blending them into the background, making it hard to distinguish details, creating a sense of ambiguity. Traditionally, oil painting was a highly skilled and time-consuming craft, requiring careful preparation of materials and meticulous application. Here, Degas embraces a more modern approach, prioritizing immediacy and subjective expression. This method allows for a sense of spontaneity and the capture of fleeting moments, aligning with the industrial era's emphasis on speed and efficiency. It invites reflection on the changing nature of labor and artistic production in a rapidly industrializing world, hinting at a shift towards a more subjective, less overtly laboured form.