Édouard Manet, Seated, Turned to the Left

The print Édouard Manet, Seated, Turned to the Left by Edgar Degas captures a candid portrait of the subject, fellow artist Édouard Manet. Executed across a broad span between 1863 and 1873, this piece is an etching, specifically representing the first state of two known versions. Degas employed the technique of etching to render the sitter’s form with delicate, sharp lines and atmospheric shading. This highly controlled printmaking process allowed Degas to explore nuanced psychological dimensions in his portraits, a practice distinct from his simultaneous work in oil painting and pastel.

As a study of men and artists, Manet is depicted seated and turned dramatically away from the viewer, emphasizing a posture of introspection and casual disengagement. This intimate portrait highlights the close association between two major figures of the burgeoning Impressionist movement who frequently depicted one another. Degas, renowned for his ability to capture subjects in unguarded moments, creates a powerful sense of arrested motion in the figure’s pose. The delicate handling of line and contour defines the shape of the seated artist, showcasing the technical mastery Degas achieved in graphic arts.

This significant work, classified as a print, remains part of the prestigious collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The study serves as a valuable historical record of both artists' careers during a pivotal decade in modern French art. Due to its age and stature, high-quality digital prints of this celebrated portrait are frequently available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to Degas’s preparatory exploration of the subject.