The artwork “Singer with a Glove” is a creation by Edgar Degas dating back to 1878, crafted using pastel on canvas. Belonging to the Impressionist movement, this portrait has dimensions of 53.2 by 41 cm and is housed at the Fogg Museum, which is part of the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.
The pastel artwork captures a performer in the midst of a song, evoking the vibrant Parisian nightlife of the late 19th century. The singer is portrayed with her mouth wide open, suggesting the act of singing, and her arm raised elegantly, drawing attention to her gloved hand which is a prominent feature of the composition. Degas employs loose, flowing strokes to convey the movement and energy of the performance.
Vibrant colors juxtapose the subtle tones of her skin and the darkness of the glove, demonstrating Degas’ skillful use of pastels to create texture and depth. The background consists of vertical lines in a mix of warm and cool tones, suggesting a curtain or backdrop common in the theatres and cafés where singers of the era would perform. The artwork encapsulates the dynamic spirit of Impressionism, focusing on a momentary glimpse of daily life rather than a posed, static scene, and emphasizes Degas’ fascination with the world of entertainment.
