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. Three dancers are featured in the scene, each in the middle of a different activity. To the left, a ballerina stands in the middle of a pose. To her right, two other dancers prepare to put on their pointe shoes. 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 one from the rare, signed edition of 25. A suite of 100 unsigned lithographs in the regular edition was created as well.

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. From the edition of 25, printed by Atelier Becquet, Paris and published by Boussod-Valadon, Paris.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Edgar Degas Before the Class (Avant la Classe), 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:

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