Mrs Jeantaud In The Mirror
circa 1875
Edgar Degas captures a fascinating moment of duality in this 1875 portrait, showing a woman in profile while her reflection stares back from a mirror on the left. Notice how the reflection is painted with darker, moodier tones compared to the crisp, bright details of her actual profile and the large white flower on her hat. Degas was obsessed with unconventional viewpoints, often cropping his subjects like a snapshot, which makes this piece feel incredibly modern and candid. It’s a brilliant example of Impressionist experimentation, playing with how we see ourselves versus how the world sees us.
Location: Musée d'Orsay, Paris
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