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 (1917-1918); (Galerie Georges Petit, second Degas sale, Paris, December 12-13, 1918, no. 87, probably sold to Georges Viau) (1918); Georges Viau [1855-1939], Paris (probably 1918-1942); (Hotel Druout, Georges Viau sale, Paris, December 11, 1942, no. 65) (1942); (M. Knoedler and Co., Paris) (1953?); John B. and Mildred [1890/92-1988] Putnam, Cleveland, OH (after 1953-before 1962); Peter A. Putnam, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (by 1962-1988); Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1988-)
Accession Number
1988.93
Medium
pastel
Dimensions
Sheet: 49.8 x 32.1 cm (19 5/8 x 12 5/8 in.); Secondary Support: 50.6 x 38 cm (19 15/16 x 14 15/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Credit Line
Gift of the Mildred Andrews Fund
