Edgar Degas Cotton Merchants in New Orleans 1873 Art Print

While most of his peers remained firmly rooted in the Parisian cafe scene, Edgar Degas was the only major French Impressionist to cross the Atlantic and paint in the United States. This print a pivotal piece in his early career, capturing his 1873 visit to his relatives’ cotton brokerage in Louisiana.

About Edgar Degas

Degas is best known for ballet dancers, painted rehearsing and resting as often as performing. He worked in pastel, oil and sculpture, and often used unusual, cropped viewpoints inspired by photography. Impressionism remains one of the easiest styles to live with, suiting almost any room. The original image dates from 1873. Edgar Degas (1834–1917) exhibited with the Impressionists but preferred to call himself a realist.

Styling this Edgar Degas print

This Edgar Degas print has a moody presence that sets the tone of a room. As a landscape piece, “Cotton Merchants in New Orleans” fills the space above the bed at 24×36″, while 12×18″ suits a smaller wall, and it is a natural fit for a bedroom. A black or antique-gold frame suits “Cotton Merchants in New Orleans” well and keeps the focus on the image.

At a glance

• Type: Edgar Degas print
• Artist: Edgar Degas
• Year: 1873
• Style: Impressionism
• Mood: moody
• Orientation: landscape
• Collections: Edgar Degas Posters, Impressionist Art Prints