Self-Portrait with White Collar c. 1857

Edgar Degas created this self-portrait with oil on canvas. At first glance, we see a study in tonal values and a muted palette, dominated by browns and ochres. The overall effect is intimate, almost as if the artist is revealing himself in a private moment. Degas uses light not to illuminate every detail, but to sculpt the face, leaving much of the background and even parts of his figure in shadow. Notice how the brushstrokes are visible, particularly in the hair and the background, adding a sense of texture and immediacy. This technique is not just about representation. It's about the act of painting itself. Degas presents himself not as a grand figure, but as an individual caught in thought. This focus on the internal, combined with the visible brushwork, reflects a broader shift in art towards exploring subjective experience and the process of creation. The self-portrait serves as a sign of the artist's reflective engagement with his own identity and artistic practice, inviting continuous readings and dialogues.