Artwork Page for Stefanina Primicile Carafa, Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi

Details / Information for Stefanina Primicile Carafa, Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi

Stefanina Primicile Carafa, Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi

c. 1875

Edgar Degas

(French, 1834–1917)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
oil on fabric
Measurements
Framed: 67.6 x 58.4 x 6 cm (26 5/8 x 23 x 2 3/8 in.); Unframed: 49 x 39.4 cm (19 5/16 x 15 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Leonard C. Hanna Jr. 1958.28
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

Degas was a Parisian by birth, but had family connections around the world, including New Orleans and Italy. In this portrait Degas's aunt, who was a titled member of the aristocracy in southwestern Italy, is captured in loose, flowing strokes with her mourning dress and watery-eyed gaze.

Description

Although best remembered for his depictions of ballet dancers and race horses, Degas painted many likenesses of his family members. He probably painted this portrait of his aunt, Stefania Carafa (1819–1901), during an extended visit to Naples, where many of his relatives lived. Described in family papers as a highly indulged, fun-loving child, the duchess grew into the stoic, world-weary woman depicted here. No expensive finery reveals her high social rank; indeed she wears a mourning dress, possibly to observe the recent death of her brother Achille.
A vertically oriented oil portrait depicts a woman with light skin tone from the shoulders up, her head turned to our right. Her dark hair is styled high as she gazes to our right with a firm expression. She wears a black garment with a high, ruffled collar. Background brushstrokes are loose and muted in shades of tan and brown, with a horizontal red band cutting across behind her.

Stefanina Primicile Carafa, Marchioness of Cicerale and Duchess of Montejasi

c. 1875

Edgar Degas

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

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