Edgar Degas, Avant la Classe (Before the Class), c. 1888

Artist: Edgar Degas (1834 - 1917)
Title:Avant la Classe (Before the Class), c. 1888
Reference:R lvii
Medium:Lithograph in orange-brown on greenish gray Chine appliqué wove paper
Sheet Size:11 in x 9 1/4 in (28 cm x 23.3 cm)
Framed Size:25 9/16 in x 24 1/4 in (64.9 cm x 61.6 cm)
Edition:Artist proof from the deluxe edition of 25 aside from the regular edition of 100, printed by Atelier Becquet, Paris and published by Boussod-Valadon, Paris.
Signature:This work is hand signed by Edgar Degas (Paris, 1834- Paris, 1917) in pencil in the lower left margin and also hand signed by G.W. Thornley in pencil in the lower right margin.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition.
ID #w-7724
Price on Request

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Historical Description

Edgar Degas Avant la Classe (Before the Class) , c. 1888-1889 showcases the artist’s best known scenes and his unconfined artistic skill. This wonderful lithograph is lightly etched to show the delicate beauty of the ballerina. Two dancers are featured in the scene, each engaging in practice at the barre. To the left, a ballerina stands in the middle of a pose. Their tutus are sketched lightly to enhance the transparent texture. The image appears like a dreamscape unfolding, . This lithograph is from Quinze lithographies d'après Degas (Fifteen Lithographs After Degas).”, a portfolio created with the collaboration of G.W. Thornley. This work is an artist's proof from the deluxe edition of 25, aside from the regular edition of 100.

Created circa 1888-1889, this  lithograph in black ink on cream Chine appliqué is hand signed by Edgar Degas (Paris, 1834- Paris, 1917) in pencil in the lower left margin and also hand signed by G.W. Thornley in pencil in the lower right margin. An artist's proof from the deluxe edition of 25 aside from the regular edition of 100, printed by Atelier Becquet, Paris and published by Boussod-Valadon, Paris.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Edgar Degas Avant la Classe (Before the Class) , c. 1888-1889 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the  sale of the work).

1. Reed, S. W. & Shapiro, B.S. (1984). Edgar Degas: The Painter as Printmaker. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston. Portfolio detailed on pgs. lviii – lix.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Edgar Degas Avant la Classe (Before the Class) , c. 1888-1889 is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards and presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.

Subject Matter: Femme