Mademoiselle Bécat at the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs: Mlle Bécat)

Mademoiselle Bécat at the Cafe des Ambassadeurs (Aux Ambassadeurs: Mlle Bécat) by Edgar Degas, created in 1877, is a significant lithograph executed on wove paper, exemplifying French graphic art from the period 1876 to 1900. This work highlights the artist’s prolific use of printmaking techniques, which he utilized alongside his celebrated pastels and oils to explore the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. The inherent properties of lithography, involving greasy crayons on a stone surface, allowed Degas to achieve a rich textural complexity and tonal depth that mimicked the qualities of his spontaneous drawings.

The subject matter immerses the viewer in the modern Parisian spectacle that fascinated the Impressionists. The setting is the famed Café des Ambassadeurs, a popular café-concert venue located on the Champs-Élysées. These spaces were central to the social and cultural life of late 19th-century French society, providing a democratic form of entertainment. The print focuses specifically on the performer, Mademoiselle Bécat, whose presence, energy, and gestures are captured with Degas’s characteristic dynamic cropping.

Unlike earlier academic styles, Degas treats the public performer not as an idealized muse, but as a worker in a highly demanding environment. The swift, economical lines and strong contrasts inherent in this print emphasize the theatrical drama and the momentary nature of the performance. Degas’s innovative compositional choices, often utilizing high vantage points and asymmetric arrangements, reflect a conscious move toward the realism of street photography and the influence of Japanese ukiyo-e prints.

This expressive lithograph is vital for understanding Degas’s dedication to capturing unposed slices of contemporary life. The technical mastery exhibited in the subtle yet powerful use of the lithographic process demonstrates why this artist is considered a foundational figure in modern printmaking. This historically important piece currently resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a key representation of French culture and Degas’s pioneering artistic contributions.