The Curtain

The Curtain is a complex and atmospheric drawing created by Edgar Degas in 1880. This piece exemplifies the French artist’s dedication to technical experimentation, utilizing a highly unusual combination of pastel over charcoal and monotype, executed on laid paper and then mounted on board. Degas often employed the monotype process-a method of printing a unique impression directly from an inked plate-as a foundation to establish deep tonal contrasts and spontaneous compositional structure. He then enhanced and clarified these forms using the subtle color and texture provided by pastel and charcoal, blurring the traditional distinction between drawing, painting, and printmaking.

Executed during the late 19th-century period of 1876 to 1900, the work reflects the modernist shift towards observing the intimate, behind-the-scenes aspects of urban leisure and performance. While Degas is internationally renowned for his studies of ballerinas, here the subject matter focuses on the atmospheric effects of the stage mechanism itself, capturing the moment just before or after a theatrical reveal. The composition emphasizes the material qualities of the heavy, draped textile, using strong contrasts achieved through the monotype base to suggest artificial stage light filtering through the voluminous folds. This approach demonstrates Degas’s consistent interest in capturing fugitive moments and the underlying geometries inherent in the performance space.

As a drawing, the work provides powerful insight into the artist’s preparatory methods and his masterful handling of the fragile pastel medium. His prolific output and use of accessible media ensures that high-quality prints reflecting his innovative techniques are often sought after by collectors and researchers alike. This exceptional work is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a potent example of the Impressionist master's late explorations of form, light, and modern subject matter. The lasting importance of Degas’s stage studies means that many of his most significant works, including The Curtain, are frequently digitized and shared within the public domain.