René de Gas [recto]

The detailed study, René de Gas [recto], created by Edgar Degas in 1855, is a significant early work demonstrating the artist's meticulous skills in portraiture. Executed in graphite on laid paper, this intimate drawing captures the likeness of Degas's younger brother, René de Gas (1845–1921), who would later become a recurring subject in the artist’s vast oeuvre. Classified as a drawing, this piece highlights Degas’s foundational academic training and his early mastery of line and form long before his association with the Impressionist movement crystallized.

Dating from the critical period spanning 1851 to 1875, this work reflects the high standards of observation required by the French artistic establishment while revealing the psychological acuity Degas would bring to all his subsequent studies. The delicate application of graphite on the subtle texture of laid paper underscores the draftsman's controlled approach. While the finished quality suggests a high degree of observation, the precise, controlled lines emphasize the structural composition of the sitter’s head and shoulders, demonstrating the artist’s focus on classical integrity. This method of detailed preparatory drawing was essential for Degas, even as he transitioned toward modern subjects and techniques.

This important sheet serves as a vital record of the artist's formative years, providing necessary context for understanding Degas’s development from a classical apprentice to a modern innovator. The drawing is a distinguished component of the collection at the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Reflecting its historical importance within the legacy of French draftsmanship, high-quality reproductions and prints of this work are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, allowing broader scholarly study of this seminal early portrait.