At the Café des Ambassadeurs

At the Café des Ambassadeurs is a complex, multi-layered print created by Edgar Degas between 1879 and 1880. Classified as a print, the work demonstrates the artist's experimental approach to graphic media, utilizing etching, softground, drypoint, and aquatint processes. This demanding combination of intaglio techniques allowed Degas to achieve a rich tonal range and varied surface texture, moving far beyond the simple linear quality characteristic of earlier etchings.

This specific impression represents the fifth and final state of the composition. Furthermore, the Metropolitan Museum of Art notes that the plate was subsequently canceled. This classification indicates that the copper plate was intentionally defaced or altered after the desired prints were pulled, ensuring no further unauthorized impressions could be made, a critical detail for authenticity in historical print collections.

Degas frequently documented modern Parisian life, moving away from traditional academic subjects to focus on the newly developing urban spheres. This piece exemplifies his interest in depicting women in these public environments during the late 19th century. Although the setting implies a specific café venue, the primary interest lies in the psychological study of the figures and their interactions within this contemporary setting. The medium of prints allowed Degas to rapidly refine tone and composition across numerous states. The widespread availability of high-resolution images of historical works like this often leads to their inclusion in digital public domain archives, broadening access to the artist's graphic endeavors. This innovative piece resides in the permanent collection of The Met.