Marguerite De Gas, the Artist's Sister

Marguerite De Gas, the Artist's Sister was created by Edgar Degas between 1860 and 1862. This early, intimate work is classified as a print, utilizing the complex intaglio techniques of etching and drypoint. The specific impression housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a unique example, documented as the second state of six, highlighting Degas's meticulous, iterative process of refining the copper plate. The piece serves as a poignant portrait of the artist’s younger sister, Marguerite, a frequent subject in the master’s drawings and sketches from this period.

Created early in the 1860s, the work predates Degas’s full commitment to the Impressionist movement, yet it displays the characteristic psychological insight that defines his subsequent oeuvre. The artist used drypoint selectively, adding a velvety burr around the etched lines that softens Marguerite’s features and captures a sense of quiet concentration. This piece belongs to a significant collection of portraits where Degas focused almost exclusively on women, depicting them in private or familial settings rather than public life.

The rarity of this unique state makes it invaluable for studying Degas’s graphic development and his mastery of printmaking. The precision and delicacy demonstrate his commitment to classical draftsmanship even when experimenting with new mediums. The work is securely held within the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As key prints documenting the history of French art, high-resolution reproductions of works like this are often made available through the public domain for scholarly study and appreciation.