PRESS RELEASE - PARIS - 13 FEBRUARY 2017 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EDGAR DEGAS’ STUDIO A GROUP OF 55 DRAWINGS BELONGING TO

THE ARTIST’S FAMILY

23 March 2017

“I assure you that no art was ever less spontaneous than mine. What I do is the result of

reflection and the study of the Great Masters.” (G. Moore, “The Painter of Modern Life”,

Magazine of Art, no. 13, 1890, p. 423).

Paris - On March 23rd, the Impressionist and Modern Art department is pleased to present a

sale dedicated to Edgar Degas. Comprising 55 works on paper, the collection comes from the

heirs of Degas’ brother, René de Gas. These high quality drawings are dated between 1855

and 1865 and feature the artist’s early works. From his sketches of human anatomy, inspired

from Antiquity and Old Masters, one can already convey his artistic ambitions. There is no

doubt collectors and connoisseurs will recognise some references to Leonardo da Vinci,

Rembrandt and Ingres through Degas’ drawings.

The sale will be divided into six sections, featuring studies inspired by the Old Masters,

Antiquity, portraits of his family, sketches for later paintings and academic studies. The

auction is estimated in the region of €1M.

Anika Guntrum, International Director of the department: "It is a great honour for our

department to offer early works by Edgar Degas to international collectors present in Paris.

These previously unseen works on paper give us the opportunity to discover the artist’s

evolution, his artistic ambitions and his peregrinations between Paris and Italy. Collectors will

have the chance to acquire these rare works which already announce his brilliant career.

OLD MASTERS

In 1853, while Degas was studying law to please his

father, he used to visit the prints department of the

National Library in Paris, where he copied Dürer,

Rembrandt, Veronese or Goya and spent his free

time at the Louvre Museum.

An ink on paper inspired by the etching technique

of Rembrandt and entitled “Femmes au Lavoir” will

be presented in this auction (estimate: €15,000-

20,000). This work reflects the admiration of Degas

for the technique of the Dutch Master in the

treatment of lines and the chiaroscuro technic. In

the present work we see a man (perhaps the artist

himself), his back turned toward the viewer,

discretely watching laundresses at work. In the

1860s his principal theme was women in society,

particularly those who earned their living: laundresses, shop keepers, singers in the café-

concert. And from the mid-1870s to the end of his career, it would be his vision through the

“key-hole” of intimate scenes of women bathing.

On 4 April 1853, he registered as a copyist at

the Louvre Museum and continues to study

French, Italian and Dutch Old Masters.

Though this approach, Degas brings to his

own works the timeless beauty found in Old

Masters’ paintings.

International connoisseurs will be able to

discover a beautiful study after Leonardo da

Vinci’s Saint Jean Baptiste. This work was

realised by Degas in 1853-54 at barely 20

years old (estimated €50,000-70,000).

ANTIQUITY

In 1855, Degas entered the Fine Art School of Paris and

continued his numerous visits to the Louvre Museum. The

Antique masterpieces were a source of inspiration for him

and his drawings announce his first major works such as “Les

petites filles spartiates provoquant les garçons” or “Scène de

guerre au Moyen-Âge ». Many of these drawings will be

offered in this auction, as a study referencing “Le Gladiateur

Borghèse”, dated circa 1855 and estimated at €25,000 –

30,000.

ACADEMIC STUDIES

“Draw lines, draw a lot of lines, you will become a good

artist”. (J.D. Ingres to E. Degas in A. Alexandre, Degas,

nouveaux aperçus in L’Art et les Artistes, no. 29, 1935, p.

146).

Between 1856 and 1865, Degas travelled to Italy to study the

Old Masters of the Renaissance and attented public classes

on Sunday evenings at the French Academy of the Villa

Medicis. Our section of academic drawings illustrates his

rigorous studies of human anatomy and musculature and

probably remains his finest early accomplishments. “Nu

assis”, a sanguine on laid paper is a perfect example of this

period. Executed circa 1854-56, this drawing is estimated

between €50,000 and 70,000.

FAMILY PORTRAITS

Back in Paris, Edgar Degas settled in a studio rue de Laval

and choose to paint members of his family. A lot of these

drawings realised in the 1860s represent his brother René

and his sister Thérèse. These portraits illustrate his

traditionalism, his admiration for neoclassical paintings

and for Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. During his

studies in the Fine Art School of Paris, Degas regularly

visited the Master’s studio to show him his drawings.

The sketch on the left represents Degas’ sister depicted in

the style of Ingres but with the realism of Gustave

Courbet. In this portrait, one can see all the vulnerability

of Thérèse de Gas (estimated: €50,000-70,000).

Sale: Thursday 23 March at 3 pm

Viewing: From Thursday 16 to Wednesday 22 March from 10am to 6 pm, Sunday 19 from 2

pm to 6 pm and Thursday 23 March from 10am to noon.

Christie’s: 9 avenue Matignon, 75008 Paris

CONTACTS PRESSE:

Beverly Bueninck ǀ +33 (0)1 40 76 84 08 ǀ bbueninck@christies.com

Mathilde Fennebresque ǀ +33 (0)1 40 76 85 88 ǀ mfennebresque@christies.com

About Christie’s Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had global auction, private and digital sales in the first half of 2016 that totalled £2.1 billion / $3 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Christie’s offers around 350 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War & Contemporary, Impressionist & Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. 2016 marks Christie’s 250th anniversary. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Click HERE to view a short film about Christie’s and the 250th anniversary. Christie’s has a global presence in 46 countries, with 12 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Mumbai. Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits.

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