Art and Art History Collection (Saskia)

Portrait of the Bellelli Family (detail) The Bellelli Family

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Publisher

Saskia, Ltd., Cultural Documentation

Abstract

In 1858 - 59, Degas spent several months in Italy with his aunt, the Baroness Bellelli. He made a number of sketches while in Italy, but this life-sized portrait was produced later. Two of the figures (the mother and standing girl) are carefully posed, apparently aware that someone is looking at them. The baron, with his back to the viewer, has just begun to realise that something is happening. Throughout his life, Degas would continue to work long hours in the studio to achieve this kind of apparent spontaneity. Degas never sold this painting, perhaps because it revealed too much about his aunt's unhappy marriage to the Baron. It remained in his studio until after his death.

Keywords

Paris, France, Paris, France, Style: French Realist/Impressionist, School: Realist/Impressionist, Movement: Realism/Impressionism, French, Painting, Painting

Alt Text

A man with a beard and light-colored hair, wearing a gray coat, sits indoors near decorative plates on a shelf. The background features ornate details and framed objects.

Geographic Location

Paris (France); Paris (France)

Rights

This material is licensed by USF Libraries for the research and teaching needs of USF students, staff, and faculty only. See: https://lib.usf.edu/collections-and-discovery/collection-management/user-terms/

Access Restrictions

Only thumbnail images and descriptive information are available to non-USF users. Full access to this collection is available only to authorized users on the USF network on campus or via VPN.

Media Type

Paintings; Pictures

Identifier

A01-PFF0434

Portrait of the Bellelli Family (detail) The Bellelli Family

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