Mlle. N. Wolkonska, second plate by Edgar Degas French, 1834-1917, is an intimate print created early in the artist’s career, dating between 1860 and 1861. Executed as an etching on delicate cream Japanese paper, this work demonstrates Degas's early interest in the graphic arts and his commitment to mastering traditional techniques before shifting toward Impressionism. Though primarily known for his later paintings of dancers and modern Parisian life, Degas initially explored printmaking, finding in etching a precision well-suited to classical portraiture. The specific use of Japanese paper also hints at an early acknowledgment of the East Asian influence that would become prominent in French art later in the century.
This piece belongs to a series of studies Degas undertook during a period when he was heavily focused on developing a strong technical foundation, often through detailed portrait studies of friends and acquaintances. Although biographical information regarding the subject, Mlle. N. Wolkonska, is scarce, the meticulous line work and concentrated composition reflect the rigorous academic training Degas received. Unlike the dynamic compositions of his Impressionist colleagues, this work retains a formal, almost reserved quality typical of the French tradition of the time. The classification as a print confirms the artist's dedication to this medium as a primary mode of expression during this era.
This particular impression of the etching, Mlle. N. Wolkonska, second plate, is held in the extensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, making it a significant reference point for scholars studying Degas's evolving practice. As a valuable example from his formative years in France, this portrait offers crucial insight into the foundational skills that would inform his mature output. Given its age and historical status, the image is generally considered part of the public domain, allowing for wider appreciation of Degas’s impressive versatility as a printmaker and draftsman.
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