Edgar Degas, Women on the Terrace of a Cafe in the Evening - Essay Example

EDGAR DEGAS, WOMEN ON THE TERRACE OF A CAFE IN THE EVENING, 1877 TABLE OF CONTENT Introduction ………………………………………………………………………....… 3 Impressionism …………………………………………………………………………. 4 Artistic analysis……………………………………………………………………….. 6 Immorality……………………………………………………………………………… 8 The fear of revolution …………………………………………………………………. 9 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………. 10 Introduction: Art is one of the best ways that people can use for purposes of communicating their feelings, thoughts, and ideas. There are a number of artistic methods that can be used for purposes of communication, and these include paintings, drawings, music, drama, etc (Mathews, 1999). Changes in the political, economic and social systems of the world are the major reasons for the emergence of artistic movements, whose responsibility is to pass out the ideology that is brought about by the changes. An example is renaissance art. Renaissance art were sculptures and paintings that were able to advocate for the principles of the Renaissance movements. Renaissance was a period between the 14th to the 17th century (Harnish, 2011). This period is normally viewed as a bridge between modernity and the middle ages. It was characterized by the developments of music, philosophy, science and literature. Renaissance art was therefore developed for purposes of promoting this concept of the renaissance movement. Artists such as Donatello, Michellozzo, and Masaccio are some of the most famous French sculptors and artists responsible for promoting the renaissance movement. France is a country that was known for its unique artistic works (Harnish, 2011). In the 19th century, a unique style of painting emerged in France, and it was called impressionism. These paintings were very unique in nature. This is mainly because they were promoting the contemporary style of living in France. This paper is an analysis of the painting by Degas (1877), called, “Women on the Terrace of a Cafe in the Evening”. This painting by Edgar Davis is an example of a painting that was done through the principles of impressionism, and this is because it promotes the ways of life, in the 19th century France. Edgar Degas and Impressionism: Impressionism was an artistic movement that began in Paris and thereafter, it did spread to other parts of the country. This movement was characterized by an emergence of an independent group of artists. These people were able to experience opposition from the traditional societies of art, in Paris (Kleiner, 2009). The artistic paintings of these people were characterized by the use of thin brushes, oil, and canvas, for purposes of producing paint. An example of painting, which was done under this method of art, was the “Tub”, an 1886 painting by Edgar Degas, and “Women on the Terrace of a Cafe in the Evening”, an 1877 painting by Edgar Degas (Clayson, 2003). These paintings are similar in the sense that Edgar Davis was able to use a thin brush, oil, and canvas, for purposes of producing them. They are able to reflect the development of the independence of women, in France (Lewis, 2007). This was an aspect of modernity, where women were not restricted in certain localities and places. This is as opposed to the traditional roles of women, where they were limited in the number of activities that they could perform, such as, relaxing on the terraces, during the evening (Harnish, 2011). The use of thin brushes to produce paint is referred to as pastel technique of painting. This technique involved the use of fine strokes of thin brush, for purposes of producing a painting. Impressionism was also a political movement, and it was depicting a struggle between the bourgeoisie, the working class, and the proletariat. The 1877 painting by Degas, depicts women on a café terrace, and by the manner of their dressing, it is possible to denote that they are poor women (Clayson, 2003, p. 106). The 1886 painting by Degas, “The Tub” also manages to depict a classy woman taking a bath (Kleiner, 2009). This is denoted by the quality of the tools that she is using to take a bath with. It is therefore possible to denote that impressionism was a movement, whose main aim was to depict the differences that existed between the rich and people. This movement also sought to identify the differences that existed between the male and the female members of the society, and the changes brought about, because of modernity (Harnish, 2011). As an impressionist painter, Edgar Degas focused on illustrating the liberties that women were able to achieve, because of the emergence of modernity. Furthermore, most of his works were able to blend the aspects of modernity and urban life, presenting them in a sophisticated manner, and in an obscure culture. A good example is his 1877 painting on, “Women on a Café Terrace……...”(Degas, 1877). The image below is the 1877 painting by Edger Degas, Painting by Edgar Degas, 1877: Source: (Clayson, 2003, p. 106). Artistic analysis: In this painting, women are sited in a café, relaxing or waiting for somebody. From the dresses that they wear, it is possible to denote that they are poor women, and probably, women coming from the middle class. This is because low ranking women, could not afford relaxing in a café, during this period of time, in France. Through this painting, Degas was trying to depict a social movement that was taking place in France (Harnish, 2011). This is the emergence of the class system, where there is a struggle between the bourgeoisies, the proletariats, and the poor people. By careful analysis of this picture, these women belong to the middle class, and they are seeking to emulate the activities of the bourgeoisies, which includes relaxing at various cafes in France. In this café, there is a man, and he is positioned at the center of the painting. The information being brought about is that women could share the same social places as men. This was an aspect of modernity, a key theme that impressionists sought to promote. In the traditional French society, it was unthinkable for a woman to share the same social place with a man. This is because men viewed themselves as superior to women; hence they could not share the same social setting with them (Harnish, 2011). However, with modernity, this changed. Women began viewing themselves as equal to men, and hence they could attend the same social places that men attended. However, in this painting, Women are not totally acceptable into the social system of men. This is because the women depicted in this photo, are sitting by themselves, without the company of the man. The man on the other hand, prefers to stay by himself, and enjoy himself. This is an indication that women were not fully integrated into the social system of men. Degas (1877) also uses light to show modernity. Light coming outside the window is able to show some aspects of modernity. This means that modernity is positive issue to the society, and hence it is depicted through the use of light. The setting of this picture is in an urban center, and this is the major characteristic of all the paintings that are done by Edgar Degas. For instance the café is large enough, and there is a presence of a driveway. In the 1877, it was difficult to find a driveway in the rural areas of France. They could only be found in the urban centers. The impressionist movement began in Paris, an urban center, and this justifies the use of urban settings by Edgar Degas. It is also possible to denote that prostitution could be an issue in this case. This is majorly because the women are just relaxing, and not taking anything. Furthermore, there is anxiety in their faces, and this is an indication that they are waiting for somebody (Kleiner, 2009). This person can either be a client, or their friends. This brings us to the notion of moral decay, in the French urban set up. This means that with the emergence of modernity, women were courageous enough, to practice prostitution. These are some of the freedoms that women could enjoy, such as making a decision on how they should live their lives. During the 19th century, the social and moral standards of the urban centers in France, was referred to as, the Parisian street (Lewis, 2007). Under this concept, the cultural values of the urban centers are depicted as morally and socially eroded. This means that there is little interaction in the streets, between people, as everyone is concentrated in his or her business. This situation and cultural values are depicted in the painting (Kleiner, 2009). The women have no business with any other person, and they have created a social environment that is not receptive. This type of social distance is clearly depicted by Davis Degas, when he is able to draw the man at the center of the café, and the women, directly opposite, and none of them shows an interest towards each other. This is an indication of an independent woman, who wants to cater for herself, without the help of a man. This was one of the major characteristics of modernity that France was experiencing during the impressionist movements. Immorality: It is possible to denote that one of the major thematic connotations of this painting is immorality. This is because of the nature of the café, and the behavior and attitude of the women. Chances are high that these women are prostitutes, and this is majorly because they are sited in a café, anxiously waiting for someone (Lewis, 2007). This is without making an order for food. Furthermore, by looking at the café, it is possible to denote that it is a dingy place, and these places are associated with prostitution, and immorality. This is because there is light outside the background, which means that it is day time. However, within the café, it is dark, which is a symbol that there are immoral behaviors going on in the café. Therefore, there is a possibility that these women are prostitutes, waiting for their clients. Edgar Degas is known for drawing sexually explicit paintings, and another example, is the 1886 painting, called, “The Tub”. This painting depicts a nude woman, taking a bath. Growe & Degas (2004) explains that the “The Tub” is a simply painting, that recognizes the fact that woman are becoming independent of their sexual feelings. However, he maintains that the sexual independence of a woman is a positive attribute, and it would protect them from being mis-used as a sexual object. It is negative, when women began using their sexual independence, in a manner that is not appropriate. This includes engaging in prostitution. This is immoral and unacceptable. However, prostitution was a problem of the 19th century France, therefore, this social problem has been depicted in the painting. The fear of revolution By closely looking at this picture, it is possible to denote that there is a fear of unknown. This is because of the manner in which women were looking at. They were very anxious, and this is because they were waiting for something that they were not sure would come. The impressionist movement sought to advocate for the various social changes in France. This was through paintings, books, music, literature, etc (Kleiner, 2009). However, the proponents of this movement were not sure if they would succeed in initiating favorable social changes in France. Edgar Degas, as a major proponent of the impressionist movement was also actively engaged in the bid of introducing social changes in France. However, he was not sure whether they would succeed or not. Therefore, this anxiety was able to be depicted in his paintings. The women are anxious, waiting for something that they are not sure they would get. This is a sign of frustration that the impressionists were passing through. Furthermore, they were able to experience opposition from the traditional artists. These people opposed their works. They viewed the impressionists as a threat, hence the need of opposing their works. Kleiner (2009) explains that most of the works by the impressionists were able to depict some elements of frustration, and anxiety. This includes paintings by famous artists such as, Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, and Berthe Morisot. Conclusion This painting by Edgar Degas focuses on the social life of people, in the urban centers. In this painting, the issue concerning the role of women within the society emerges. For instance, women are secluded from men, within the café, and they are anxious. This is as opposed to men, who show some elements of confidence. Through this painting, women are viewed as sex objects, and this is the reason they are seen waiting for their clients. That is men who are willing to pay for sexual services. Therefore, immorality is a major theme in this painting. Immorality is brought about, because of modernization. Through modernization, women have managed to take control of their sexuality. This is the reason they confidently engage in prostitution. During the 18th century, France was undergoing through a series of social changes, and this is because of modernity. These changes gave women some rights, and freedoms. Some began misusing those rights, leading to a social decay within the society. However, the paintings were too strict on women, and they did not view the role of men, in promoting these elements of social decay within the society. This is because it is men, who are paying for the services of the prostitutes. This encourages women, to go out, and look for these type of men, hence promoting social decay within the society. Therefore, this painting by Edgar Degas is feminine in nature. This is because it heavily criticizes the role of women in promoting social decay, while ignoring the contributions of men. Bibliography: Top of Form CLAYSON, H. (2003). Painted love prostitution in French art of the impressionist era. Los Angeles, Getty Research Institute. DEGAS, D (1877). Women on a Cafe Terrace in the Evening Bottom of Form Top of Form GROWE, B., & DEGAS, E. (2004). Edgar Degas, 1834-1917. Köln, Taschen. Top of Form HARNISH, J. D. (2011). Serial images: the modern art of iteration. Berlin, Lit. Bottom of Form Top of Form KLEINER, F. S. (2009). Gardners art through the ages. a global history Volume 2 Volume 2. Boston, MA, Thomson. Top of Form LEWIS, M. T. (2007). Critical readings in Impressionism and post-Impressionism: an anthology. Berkeley, University of California Press. Bottom of Form Top of Form MATHEWS, P. (1999). Passionate discontent: creativity, gender, and French symbolist art. Chicago, Ill, Univ. of Chicago Press. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More