Three Studies of Ludovic Halévy Standing is an insightful drawing created by Edgar Degas in 1880. Executed in charcoal on tan laid paper, this work demonstrates the artist's keen ability to capture his subject with immediate precision and economy of line. The piece features three distinct, rapidly executed renderings of Ludovic Halévy, the celebrated French playwright, librettist, and close personal friend of Degas, shown here in a relaxed, standing posture.
The choice of charcoal, a medium Degas favored for its speed and tonal range, allows the artist to focus intently on modeling form using light and shadow. The warm tone of the laid paper provides a crucial mid-tone, against which the deep black charcoal defines contours and texture, while lighter areas may have been achieved through erasing or lifting pigment. The presence of multiple studies on a single sheet underscores the analytical nature of Degas’s drawing practice, often treating the human figure as a dynamic form to be studied from various, slightly shifting perspectives.
Created during the period of 1876 to 1900, this Drawing exemplifies the sophisticated approach to portraiture that characterized Degas’s maturity. While frequently associated with his iconic works of ballet dancers, Degas’s rigorous studies of friends and family reveal the profound psychological depth he sought in his more intimate compositions. This work captures the informality and directness of a private sitting, providing valuable insight into the relationship between the two figures.
This exceptional example of French draftsmanship currently resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. The piece is highly valued for illustrating Degas’s transitional style during a time when he moved away from strict Impressionism toward more focused, naturalistic rendering. As a work held by a major public institution, high-resolution images and prints derived from the original often circulate via public domain initiatives, ensuring broad access to this significant preparatory study by the master.
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