Ploughed Field Bordered by Trees

"Ploughed Field Bordered by Trees" by Edgar Degas French, 1834-1917, is a significant example of the artist's dedication to printmaking and technical experimentation during the late 19th century. Created across a prolonged period, dating roughly from 1887 to 1897, the work exemplifies Degas's innovative use of mixed media. Classified as a print, the piece was executed using pastel applied over a color monotype impression on off-white wove paper, which was subsequently laid down on cream card for preservation.

Degas frequently employed the color monotype, a technique involving applying ink to a plate and then running it through a press, to establish the foundational texture and deep, chromatic base of his images. He then built upon this base with the expressive freedom afforded by pastel, allowing him to define structure, light, and atmosphere. This technique transforms the landscape from a simple topographical rendering into a rich study of texture and material. Although best known for his depictions of dancers and interior life, this work shows the French master engaging with rural motifs, capturing the somber contrast between the dark, articulated trees and the raked lines of the newly turned earth.

The sustained period of execution suggests Degas revisited and refined the composition multiple times, reflecting his methodical approach even within experimental media. These late-career explorations of landscape and printmaking allowed Degas to move toward the freer, sometimes abstract forms that characterized his final output. This unique piece, illustrating Degas’s mastery across different forms, is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, making it an essential reference for understanding the history of 19th-century prints. As with many works of this era, high-resolution images are often made available through museum and public domain initiatives for scholarly study.