The Fireside is an intimate and experimental print by Edgar Degas, created between 1871 and 1882. This work is executed in black ink as a monotype on white heavy laid paper. Degas was a revolutionary user of the monotype process, appreciating its ability to capture immediacy and strong contrasts reminiscent of spontaneous drawing or preliminary sketches.
The subject matter centers on a domestic interior, depicting one or more women gathered near a fireplace. The fireplace itself provides the composition's dramatic focus, offering a central source of light and shadow that Degas utilized to define form. Degas frequently explored private moments and the inner lives of women in his graphic work, eschewing grand narrative in favor of observational study. This technique, characterized by rich, velvety blacks and sharp tonal variations typical of early prints, emphasizes the atmosphere and the ephemeral nature of the light flickering from the hearth.
This piece highlights the artist’s commitment to exploring unconventional media outside of traditional oil painting. Degas produced approximately 450 monotypes, and The Fireside stands as a compelling example of his contributions to the graphic arts during this period. The work is classified specifically as a print and is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. High-resolution images and prints of this work are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring its accessibility for scholars and enthusiasts worldwide.
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