Mlle Bécat at the Café des Ambassadeurs

Mlle Bécat at the Café des Ambassadeurs, created by Edgar Degas between 1877 and 1878, is a significant example of his engagement with printmaking, specifically the complex technique of lithography. This medium allowed Degas to explore the subtle nuances of light and shadow, achieved through the careful modulation of grease crayon and scraping on the lithographic stone. The work showcases the French artist's persistent interest in capturing candid, unposed moments from contemporary Parisian life, moving beyond traditional salon subjects to focus on the rising culture of urban entertainment.

The subject, Mlle Bécat, was a celebrated café-concert singer of the period, performing in the famous outdoor setting of the Café des Ambassadeurs. Degas utilized fragmented compositions and unusual, cropped vantage points, characteristics central to the burgeoning Impressionist movement in France, mirroring the fleeting visual experiences of modern existence. Unlike his better-known ballet studies, this piece emphasizes the dynamic atmosphere of bourgeois evening entertainment and the emerging culture of celebrity.

This rare print, executed during a pivotal moment in the development of 19th-century prints, demonstrates Degas’s relentless experimentation with media to achieve specific atmospheric and psychological effects. The quality of line and tone provides crucial insight into the artist’s technical mastery outside of oil painting and pastel. The original lithograph is part of the distinguished collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.