Portraits à la Bourse - Degas |
This famous Degas painting reminded me that the revered artists in the museums that I visited were interesting, opinionated, and witty people. Clearly pimping, for the woman beside the building, this rat-faced man is catching the ear of some gentlemen in a line up.
What I loved was the economy of one of the men's hands. They're a pink scribble, with the most important feature crisply defined: the wedding band.
I also had a laugh when I realized that the black-shod foot visible at the bottom of the pimp's coat was not connected to any figure, but was, instead, a sly joke protruding from the pimp's pants.
As I stood in the grand museum, looking at what was essentially a naughty joke and a keenly-observed piece of social commentary, Degas felt very human and close. I've read that he was prickly, but I think I'd have liked him.
Happy painting!
If you'd like to get my blog delivered to your inbox, please subscribe with your email address in the box on the right side of this page.
