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Description
Degas executed this portrait of his friend, the artist Ludovic Lepic, with rapid and expressive strokes of powdery pastel. The two artists worked together closely in printmaking early on, and this work is one of several commemorative depictions that Degas made throughout his career. Here, Lepic is seen with his pet, a Belgian Griffon, suggesting a fondness for dogs for which he was well-known in late-19th century Paris. He died just about one month after this portrait was completed at the age of 50.
Provenance
Estate of Edgar Degas [1834-1917], Paris; (Galerie Georges Petit, second Degas sale, Paris, December 12-13, 1918, no. 87, probably sold to Georges Viau); Georges Viau [1855-1939], Paris; (Hotel Druout, Georges Viau sale, Paris, December 11, 1942, no. 65); (M. Knoedler and Co., Paris); John B. and Mildred [1890/92-1988] Putnam, Cleveland, OH; Peter A. Putnam, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH; Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Dimensions
49.8 × 32.1 cm
Movement / Period
Accession No
1988.93
Official Citations
Curatorial Affinity Stream
Continuing the Universe of Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917)
Drawings • France, 19th century • Harmonious Works & Contemporaries
Continuous Discovery