The Milliner

The Milliner is a highly detailed drawing created by Edgar Degas over a protracted period, estimated between 1877 and 1887. This work is executed in pastel and charcoal on a warm gray wove paper that, due to natural aging, has since discolored to a buff tone. The specific paper choice is marked by the presence of a MICHALLET watermark, indicating the high-quality materials Degas favored for his preparatory and finished studies.

Degas was uniquely dedicated to observing the private moments of Parisian life, particularly scenes of female labor. The subject, a woman concentrating intently on her work, is a prime example of his repeated fascination with milliners and the creation of hats, a prominent symbol of fashion and consumerism in late 19th-century France. The application of charcoal provides robust structural definition, while the rich layering of pastel introduces luminous color and texture, capturing the specific quality of light in the intimate working environment.

This detailed exploration of the figure and her surroundings demonstrates why the drawing process was so vital to Degas’s output. The original sheet was historically laid down onto a dark brown wove paper for preservation and stability. Classified formally as a drawing, this important work is preserved in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As the piece is often included in the public domain for reference, many admirers seek high-quality prints reflecting the vibrancy of the original charcoal and pastel execution.