Self-Portrait 1857

Curator: Before us is Edgar Degas' "Self-Portrait" from 1857, currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He rendered it with etching techniques, a departure from his later pastel and oil paintings. Editor: It’s surprisingly delicate, almost ghostly. There's a softness in the hatching that belies the often-assertive nature we associate with self-portraits. The lightness feels different to some other portrait etchings from the era. Curator: The etching process itself allows for remarkable control over line quality. Note the varied pressure and layering Degas employed, indicating an intimate knowledge of printmaking. Consider the materials involved: the metal plate, the acids used to bite the image, and the specialized printing press. These tools shape the artistic outcome. Editor: I am intrigued by Degas positioning himself. Not as the established artist, but almost tentative, leaning back. This could reflect his relative youth, and his artistic positioning at that moment. How aware do you think he was of the self-portrait's role in constructing artistic persona? Curator: Indeed! I think Degas uses it to create his artistic persona at this early stage. Consider the role of exhibitions, salons, and critics in shaping an artist's career in mid-19th century France. This portrait would have been created in context with an eye to this system. Editor: It certainly shows him grappling with constructing his identity in an historical and social framework, though it seems subdued rather than attention-grabbing. One wonders how this image of the artist resonated with his early audience in those contexts you mention? Did it garner critical attention or remain a quieter piece? Curator: Well, initial responses are tricky to track, as much rested on salon display and word-of-mouth then. The piece later came to be read within narratives constructed around Degas as printmaker, where this example stood testament to a burgeoning practice. Ultimately the process of creating these etchings in print workshops opened avenues for cross pollination of artistic communities in nineteenth-century Paris. Editor: Absolutely. Examining the social context is crucial. Looking at the evolution of an artist and how it impacts public perception helps to solidify their art legacy. This etching is one window into it, a small but important mark within a big framework. Curator: Indeed! Appreciating his careful manipulation of materials really emphasizes the early stage of that framework's construction.