Edgar Degas Sulking 1870 Impressionist Painting Art Print

There is a palpable tension that fills the small, wood-paneled office space captured in this print. The composition centers on a seated man leaning over his desk, while a woman in a muted blue-grey dress leans against the back of a chair, looking directly toward the viewer with a weary expression.

About Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas (1834–1917) exhibited with the Impressionists but preferred to call himself a realist. His soft pastel colour suits bedrooms, dressing areas and calm living spaces. The Impressionists held their first independent exhibition in Paris in 1874. The original image dates from 1870. Impressionist painters often used pure, unmixed colours placed side by side to create vibrancy.

Styling this Edgar Degas print

The blue colour scheme gives this Edgar Degas print a clear, confident presence. In a bedroom, hang “Sulking” above the bed: 20×30″ or 24×36″ for impact, 12×18″ for a smaller wall. The blue palette of “Sulking” pairs naturally with white walls, navy or denim textiles and pale oak; finish it with a black or antique-gold frame. “Sulking” also anchors a gallery wall well; surround it with smaller blue pieces at even 2–3 inch gaps.

At a glance

• Type: Edgar Degas print
• Artist: Edgar Degas
• Year: 1870
• Style: Impressionism
• Colours: blue
• Orientation: landscape
• Collections: Edgar Degas Posters, Impressionist Art Prints