A Roman Beggar Woman
1857 · oil on canvas
Dimensions 100.3 × 75.2 cm
Collection: BMAG collection
This austere image of an old beggar woman was painted by Degas when he was only twenty-three years old. In 1856, he visited Rome and studied at the school based in the Villa Medici. This is one of two studies of an old woman and this sitter was probably glad to earn money as an artist's model.The detached observation of the woman's wrinkled skin and veined, arthritic hand, together with the dirt-ingrained clothing, make it a timeless image of old age and poverty.
171 collected·85 zoomed·0 comments
About this artwork
A Roman Beggar Woman (1857) by Edgar Degas, oil on canvas, from the BMAG collection.
About Edgar Degas
19 July 1834 – 27 September 1917) was a French artist famous for his paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings. He is especially identified with the subject of dance; more than half of his works depict dancers.[1] He is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism, although he rejected the term, preferring to…
More by Edgar Degas
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.