Artwork Page for Four Studies of the Head of a Young Italian Woman

Details / Information for Four Studies of the Head of a Young Italian Woman

Four Studies of the Head of a Young Italian Woman

1856
(French, 1834–1917)
Medium
graphite
Support
Gray wove paper
Measurements
Sheet: 46 x 30.5 cm (18 1/8 x 12 in.)
Credit Line
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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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.
A vertically oriented graphite drawing on light brown paper features four studies of a woman with light skin tone. In the upper left, a detailed sketch shows her looking upward. To our right, two fainter sketches show her head in profile. At the bottom, a larger, more finished study depicts her head tilted back with wide eyes and an open mouth. Small inscriptions appear at the corners, including the word "Rome" at bottom right.

Four Studies of the Head of a Young Italian Woman

1856

Edgar Degas

(French, 1834–1917)
France, 19th century

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