Degas Sketchbook

This large notebook, distinguished by numerous images drawn from memory, was purchased by Degas' friend Ludovic Halévy for the artist's use during after-dinner conversation. The subjects range from the whimsical to the thoughtful, with quick portraits of dinner guests, sketches of dancers, and scenes from a Turkish bath.

Degas and Halévy were both deeply involved in the world of music and theater and intrigued by details of modern life and popular entertainment. In one sketch, the artist depicted the subject of his 1879 painting, the dangling form of Miss La La, a contemporary circus sensation, along with a focused study of the mouthpiece she used in her act.

Edgar Degas
1834–1917
Sketchbook
1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)
Thaw Collection
2004.35
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Front cover

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folio 1 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 2 verso–3 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 4 verso–5 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 6 verso–7 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 8 verso–9 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 10 verso–11 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 12 verso–13 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 14 verso–15 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 16 verso–17 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 18 verso–19 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 19 verso–20 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 21 verso–22 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 23 verso–24 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 25 verso–26 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
See more information »

Folios 27 verso–28 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 29 verso–30 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 31 verso–32 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 33 verso–34 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
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Folios 35 verso–36 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
See more information »

Folios 37 verso–38 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
See more information »

Folios 39 verso–40 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
See more information »

Folios 41 verso–42 recto

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
See more information »

Back cover

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Edgar Degas
1834–1917

Sketchbook

1880 and after
Twenty-one drawings in graphite with some charcoal and blue chalk
Leaves: 9 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (249 x 339 mm); binding: 10 1/8 x 13 1/2 inches (258 x 345 mm)

Thaw Collection

2004.35
See more information »