Women on the Terrace of a Café in the Evening

Women on the Terrace of a Café in the Evening by Edgar Degas French, 1834-1917, is a masterful study of Parisian social life captured through the experimental lens of the monotype process. Created during the active years of 1871-1881, this classification of print on ivory wove paper reveals Degas’s consistent dedication to documenting the shifting cultural and social landscape of modern France. The monotype medium, which involves drawing or painting directly onto a plate and running it through a press only once, results in a unique, singular print with highly atmospheric tonality and distinctive textural qualities.

The subject matter, women seated on a public terrace under artificial lighting, was characteristic of Degas's focus during this decade. Unlike the brightly lit landscapes favored by many of his Impressionist contemporaries, Degas sought out interior or low-light environments- such as cafés, theaters, and opera boxes- to explore complex compositional challenges and the candid psychology of his figures. The ephemeral nature of the monotype technique heightens the sense of intimacy and transience, suggesting a moment observed quickly and fleetingly in the dark. Degas, renowned for his relentless experimentation with artistic techniques, employed this demanding graphic process to achieve the dramatic chiaroscuro effects suitable for an evening setting.

This singular example of the artist’s prolific graphic work is held in the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Degas's innovative handling of printmaking significantly expanded the possibilities of the medium and influenced subsequent graphic artists. As a foundational work of French art from the late 19th century, Women on the Terrace of a Café in the Evening remains essential for understanding the breadth of the artist's output beyond his better-known paintings and sculptures. Works like this, considered groundbreaking in their time, are frequently digitized and available today through institutional and public domain resources.