Four Studies of the Head of a Young Italian Woman

1856

Edgar Degas

(French, 1834–1917)

Culture

France, 19th century

Medium

graphite

Support

Gray wove paper

Measurements

Sheet: 46 x 30.5 cm (18 1/8 x 12 in.)

Credit Line

Bequest of Muriel Butkin 2008.388

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

This drawing is one of numerous depictions of Italians in local costume that Degas made in his three years traveling around the country.

Description

This sheet of head studies unites three fundamental characteristics of Degas's art: consummate draftsmanship, captured movement and expression, and an almost obsessive attention to the attitudes of the female figure. Drawn in 1856 during his first trip to Italy, the sheet represents the model in successive positions and expressions of suffering. The name inscribed at the upper right-Rita Cacciala-must be that of the model. Writing models' names and addresses on figure studies was a common practice among artists, providing them with a handy reference of models they might want to contact for future use.