Woman Reading (Liseuse)

Art Historical Context

In the late 19th century, Edgar D, a master of capturing fleeting moments, created *Woman Reading (Lise)* around 1885. This intimate monotype in black ink on cream laid (plate: 38 x 27.7 cm) showcases a solitary woman absorbed in her book, embodying Degas' fascination with private, everyday scenes. Unlike his iconic ballet dancers, this work highlights the quiet poetry of domestic life, a theme that resonated during the Impressionist era's shift toward modernity. Degas pioneered monotype printing, applying ink directly to a metal plate and transferring it in a single pull to produce unique, p...

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 ...