René De Gas, the Artist's Brother 1861 - 1862

Edgar Degas created this drypoint portrait of his brother, René De Gas, on cream laid paper. The print captures René's likeness in a way that goes beyond mere representation, inviting us to consider the dynamics of family, identity, and representation in 19th-century France. Degas, who came from a wealthy, aristocratic background, was deeply entrenched in the bourgeois culture of his time. This is evident in his exploration of interiority, and his acute observations of social life. The way Degas renders his brother is fascinating; the contrast between light and shadow adds depth to René's gaze, almost as if to suggest a story, an inner life that extends beyond the surface. Family portraits can be revealing, but they are also always mediated. Consider the historical context: the pressure on men to perform certain roles, the weight of family expectations, and the unspoken codes of class and masculinity. What do we really know about René, and what does Degas want us to see? The artwork, ultimately, makes us aware of how an artist’s personal relationships intersect with broader societal narratives.