Portrait of Ellen Andrée

The Portrait of Ellen Andrée by Edgar Degas (French, 1834-1917) is an exceptional example of the artist's devotion to experimental printmaking during the decade of 1871-1881. This intimate likeness of the famed model and actress, created in France, was executed using the demanding monotype technique. The work utilizes black and brown ink applied directly onto a plate, which was then transferred onto ivory china paper via a press. The resulting impression, with its characteristically blurred contours and rich, yet subtle tonality, captures the immediacy and spontaneity central to Degas’s aesthetic concerns during the height of the Impressionist movement.

As a print, this classification underscores the versatility of the artist's prolific output, which often moved beyond traditional painting mediums. Degas’s dedication to monotypes provided him with a unique tool to explore light, shadow, and psychological depth in rapid succession, distinguishing these works from his more public oils and pastels. His focus on Ellen Andrée, a prominent figure in the Parisian café-concert and artistic world, places the piece firmly within the context of contemporary observations of modern French life. The medium allowed Degas to render the portrait with intense detail in the subject's face, conveying emotional nuance through minimal application of ink. The ivory china paper is perimeter mounted to a cream, laid paper for long-term preservation. This significant piece is a highlight of the permanent collection at the Art Institute of Chicago.