Portrait of a Young Woman

Art Historical Context

Step into the intimate world of Edgar Degas *Portrait of a Young Woman* (ca. 188), a delicate oil on canvas measuring just 10 3/4 x 8 3/4 inches. This small-scale gem from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Paintings collection captures the essence of late 19th-century French portraiture, gifted through the renowned H. O. Havemeyer Collection in 1929. Degas, a master associated with Impressionism yet rooted in Realism, often favored such modest formats for personal studies, allowing for close-up psychological depth. Degas (1834–1917) broke from traditional posed portraits, infusing his works with candid energy and subtle light effects—hallmarks of his innovative style. Here, the oil medium showcases his precise brushwork and fascination with everyday subjects, particularly women, whom he depicted with empathy and modernity amid Paris's evolving social scene. Created during his mature period, when he increasingly experimented with unconventional angles and immediacy, this piece reflects the Impressionist shift toward capturing fleeting moments over idealized grandeur. As part of the Met's treasures, it highlights Degas' portrait mastery, blending technical virtuosity with quiet emotional resonance. Visitors will appreciate how this unassuming canvas invites lingering reflection on identity and gaze in art history.

About the Artist

Edgar Degas · 1834–1917

Edgar Degas (1834-1917) stands as one of the most innovative artists of the nineteenth century, whose distinctive vision transformed how modern life could be depicted on canvas. Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas in Paris to a wealthy banking family—his father French, his mother a Louisiana Creole from New Orleans—Degas received a classical education before abandoning law studies in 1855 to pursue ...