Achille De Gas in the Uniform of a Cadet

Achille De Gas in the Uniform of a Cadet by Edgar Degas is an early oil on canvas painting created between 1856 and 1857. This striking work depicts the artist's younger brother, Achille, posed formally in the uniform of a cadet. Completed during Degas's formative years, the piece demonstrates his dedication to traditional portraiture and mastery of academic principles before his later evolution into Impressionism and studies of modern Parisian life.

The composition utilizes careful draftsmanship and a focused, often restrained, color palette appropriate for military attire. Degas employs the traditional medium of oil on canvas, allowing for precise rendering of the fabrics and the serious expression of his young subject. The French artist was deeply invested in the techniques of the Old Masters during this period, having recently returned from studying Renaissance art in Italy. Achille is presented against a neutral background, drawing the viewer’s focus entirely to the structured pose and the meticulous details of his official dress. The portrait captures a sense of solemnity, typical of formal sittings in the mid-nineteenth century.

This intimate family portrait falls firmly within the 1851 to 1875 period, documenting Degas's developing career and technical proficiency. While he would later be celebrated for his dynamic scenes of dancers and bathers, early works like this provide essential context regarding his fundamental skills in conventional portraiture and figure painting. The painting, Achille De Gas in the Uniform of a Cadet, is a significant item within the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its status and age, the work is frequently found within the public domain, making high-quality reproductions and prints readily available to students and researchers worldwide.