Head of an Old Man, Front View
c. 1860
Before Edgar Degas became famous for painting pastel ballerinas and racehorses, he spent years mastering classical drawing techniques, and this intense portrait of an elderly man is a perfect example. Created around 1860, the drawing captures a weathered face with deep-set eyes and a soft cap, using delicate shading and striking white highlights to bring the features to life. It shows a young artist honing his craft, focusing on the raw humanity of his subject rather than the fleeting light effects he would later champion in the Impressionist movement. The red "Degas" signature in the corner is a quiet stamp of ownership from a master still finding his voice.
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