Café-Concert Singer

The work Café-Concert Singer by Edgar Degas (French, 1834-1917), executed between 1878 and 1880, is a masterful example of printmaking focused on modern Parisian life. This piece utilizes the demanding monotype process, where the artist draws in black ink directly onto a plate, which is then run through a press to transfer the image onto cream laid paper. Since the resulting image is unique, the monotype technique offered Degas an immediate, experimental graphic tool, contrasting sharply with the more traditional methods of etching or lithography.

Degas frequently explored the shifting social landscape of late 19th-century France, particularly the entertainment venues of the city. The café-concert, a common subject for the Impressionists, captured the spectacle of modern urban leisure. Unlike the brightly lit, idealized depictions of many contemporaries, this print typically presents a darkly shadowed, candid view of the performer or the audience member. Degas’s handling of the medium emphasizes dramatic contrast and atmosphere, using the velvety texture of the ink to define form and light in the dim performance space.

Produced during a period when Degas was deeply committed to graphic exploration, this unique print demonstrates his commitment to capturing fleeting moments of contemporary life. This important work remains a vital component of the Art Institute of Chicago's renowned collection of French prints. Due to the age of the artist, this historic image has entered the public domain, making high-resolution reproductions widely accessible today.