Portrait of Madame Dietz-Monnin (formerly Head of a Woman)

Portrait of Madame Dietz-Monnin (formerly Head of a Woman) by Edgar Degas (French, 1834-1917) is an intimate drawing created during the decade spanning 1877 to 1885. This piece, executed solely in graphite on ivory laid paper, exemplifies Degas’s mastery of draftsmanship and his dedication to capturing the inner character of his sitters. The utilization of laid paper, often favored for studies in 19th-century fine art practices, provides a subtle texture that catches the delicate shading achieved by the graphite, emphasizing precision over generalized impression.

The extended creation period reflects the careful methodology Degas often employed for his commissioned society portraits. Unlike many of his contemporary Impressionists, Degas favored a protracted, studied approach, believing that character was revealed through repetition and refinement. He was a leading figure in the Parisian art world, and his output included hundreds of preparatory drawings and studies that reveal the strong academic foundation underlying his modern compositions. While his more famous depictions of dancers and bathers are frequently reproduced in commercial prints, this work represents a crucial example of his private portraiture in France.

This classification as a finished drawing rather than a sketch highlights its importance in the artist’s extensive exploration of line and psychological depth. Drawings such as Portrait of Madame Dietz-Monnin are invaluable resources for scholars seeking to understand the technical evolution that defined the artist's legacy. Held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, this work contributes significantly to the study of late 19th-century French figurative art. As high-quality images of the drawing enter the public domain, Degas’s sensitive handling of the human figure continues to be accessible to audiences worldwide.