Program for the Soiree Artistique (Programme de la Soirée des anciens élèves du Lycée de Nantes)

Program for the Soiree Artistique (Programme de la Soirée des anciens élèves du Lycée de Nantes) is a rare transfer lithograph created by Edgar Degas in 1844. This exceptionally early work, classified simply as a print, offers a valuable glimpse into the artist’s initial engagement with graphic arts, dating to the formative 1826 to 1850 period.

The piece functions as the program or schedule for a social event hosted by the former students of the Lycée de Nantes, an aspect that roots the artwork firmly within 19th-century French culture. During this era, lithography, particularly the transfer method, was widely utilized for producing ephemera such as invitations, sheet music, and promotional materials due to its relative ease and reproducibility. The technique allowed a drawing, likely executed by Degas himself, to be transferred to the printing stone, maintaining the immediacy and character of the original sketch.

While Degas is internationally renowned for his later Impressionist paintings and pastels depicting dancers and scenes of modern Parisian life, this work establishes the foundation of his technical exploration. The inclusion of this mundane, utilitarian subject in his early output shows the young artist exploring various media before committing fully to oil painting.

The historical significance of this document lies in its proof of Degas’s precocious artistic practice in the 1840s. The piece’s existence serves as a critical documentary record for scholars tracing the trajectory of his career development. This unique print is housed within the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art, confirming its importance to the study of the French master’s extensive output.