The artwork entitled “Rue Quesnoy, Saint-Valery-sur-Somme,” created by Edgar Degas circa 1895 to 1898, is a pastel landscape that embodies the characteristics of the Impressionist movement. This expressive piece is part of a private collection and showcases Degas’s exploration of the landscape genre, diverging from his more commonly recognized studies of human figures and the ballet.
In the artwork, one observes a tranquil rural scene captured with a soft, yet dynamic application of pastel. The composition presents a narrow pathway that leads the eye through the center, flanked by modest structures on either side. The palette consists of muted earthy tones intermingling with dashes of orange, hinting at the patina of rustic wooden surfaces, and a gentle play of light suggests the time of day may be dusk or dawn. Trees, with their foliage rendered in quick, wispy strokes, add a sense of life and movement to the pastoral setting. The sky, visible at the path’s end, provides a delicate contrast through its lighter hues, which in turn accentuate the artwork’s overall atmosphere. Degas’s approach captures not just the visual charm of the landscape but also the ephemeral quality of light, a hallmark of the Impressionist style.
