Degas and Evariste de Valernes (Study for 'Degas and de Valernes')
Painting on small-format support (likely paper mounted to board or canvas) • Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917)
Style & Movement
Impressionism / Realism (Early Period)
Medium & Technique
Oil on paper or canvas. Technique involves thin washes combined with dry brushwork and sketch-like applications, characteristic of a 'pochade' or oil sketch.
Creation Period
Circa 1865
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 11 x 14 inches (28 x 35 cm); Landscape format
Subject Description
A double portrait featuring the artist Edgar Degas (left) and his friend, the painter Evariste de Valernes (right). The composition captures an intimate, somber moment of shared observation. De Valernes is seated, holding a palette or portfolio, while Degas leans in with a downward gaze. The hats (top hat and bowler) and dark coats signify their bourgeois status.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The work shows signs of historical aging, including slight darkening of the varnish and visible texture from the underlying support.
Estimated Market Value
$400,000 - $700,000 USD (Based on the rarity of Degas oil sketches and high demand for early portraits)
Auction Estimate
$300,000 - $500,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely passed through the Degas estate (Atelier Degas) following his death in 1917. This composition is a smaller version or study related to the larger finished work currently held in the Musée d'Orsay, Paris.
Art Historical Significance
Highly significant as a record of Degas's early development and his deep friendship with De Valernes. It showcases Degas's mastery of psychology in portraiture and his transition from the Ingres-influenced Neoclassical style to a more spontaneous, modern Realism.
Notable Features
Features a partial inscription or signature in the upper left corner. The psychological gravity and the 'snapshot' quality of the composition prefigure Degas's later interests in photography and candid modern life.
Condition Issues
Minor surface abrasions near the edges; slight yellowing of old varnish layers; potential minor 'crazing' (fine cracking) in the denser pigment areas of the black clothing.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a specialist in Impressionist works. UV-protective glazing and a climate-controlled environment (50% RH) to prevent further aging of the organic support.