Mme. Michel Musson and Her Daughters, Estelle and Désirée

Mme. Michel Musson and Her Daughters, Estelle and Désirée is a significant early work by Edgar Degas (French, 1834-1917), dating to 1865. Though often classified as a painting due to its classification within the museum system, this intimate portrait is executed on cream wove paper utilizing a highly sophisticated combination of drawing and wet media techniques. The artist first employed graphite for the compositional structure, over which he layered watercolor, brush and red chalk wash, and touches of charcoal, blending definition with atmospheric color. The visual impact is further enhanced through the careful application of opaque white gouache, lending luminosity and definition to the faces and fabrics.

This detailed piece captures a quiet, domestic scene of Mme. Michel Musson and her two daughters, Estelle and Désirée, providing a nuanced glimpse into bourgeoisie life in mid-19th century France. Unlike the modern, urban subjects that would come to define the artist’s later career, this work demonstrates Degas’s early interest in formal portraiture, rooted in classical academic traditions, yet executed with an emerging freedom of line and sensitivity to light.

The nuanced handling of the materials showcases Degas’s technical virtuosity, positioning him as a master draftsman. The composition focuses on the inherent relationships between the women, rendered with a delicate palette appropriate for the paper medium. This key document in the artist's progression toward Impressionism is held in the renowned collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As the image resides within the public domain, high-quality prints and reproductions of Mme. Michel Musson and Her Daughters, Estelle and Désirée are widely available, ensuring its continued study by scholars and art enthusiasts globally.