Mademoiselle Malo (c. 1877)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
"Mademoiselle Malo" is a compelling portrait by the renowned French artist Edgar Degas, painted around 1877. This work is a fine example of Degas's skill in capturing the essence and personality of his subjects through subtlety and detail.The portrait features a young woman dressed in a plush dark coat, seated against a backdrop of lush, floral greenery. Her expression is serene, yet there is a hint of contemplativeness that draws viewers into her introspective gaze. The soft brushstrokes and muted palette suggest a quiet, almost introspective mood, typical of Degas’s more personal portraits.Unlike some of his more famous works focused on movement and the human form in action—such as his studies of dancers and horse racers—"Mademoiselle Malo" showcases Degas's ability to handle stillness with equal mastery. The rich textures and the interplay of light and shadow across the subject’s face and clothing demonstrate Degas’s focus on realism and atmospheric effects.This portrait not only reflects Degas's artistic skills but also serves as a window into the genteel aspects of 19th-century Parisian life, illustrating the elegance and reserved demeanor expected of young women of that era.