The result of about twenty years of research, this digital catalogue raisonné of Edgar Degas has become a reference for understanding the artist and his work. Digital technology offers immense possibilities for prospecting. The one we publish complements several earlier publications on Degas, including the catalogues of posthumous sales from 1918-1919 and Lemoisne's catalogue raisonné published in 1946. While integrating them, our digital catalogue raisonné expands their boundaries, making it possible to glean precious information sometimes made inaccessible by distance or simply by oblivion. Moreover, lost or new works surface, as has been regularly the case since the launch of this digital catalogue raisonné in 2019.
Our digital catalogue raisonné of Degas' paintings and pastels includes more than 1700 pastels and paintings from public and private collections, to which will soon be added 1400 drawings. The site also features nearly 3300 exhibitions, 1700 bibliographical references, more than 5800 lots sold at public sales since 1875, and an in-depth study of Degas' signatures. We return to each in every chapter.
Our catalogue thus fills an immense gap that allows us to advance our knowledge of Degas' work and ensure its expertise. The site is regularly updated and expanded. Further developments will be offered in the future.
We extend our warmest thanks to the Musée d'Orsay, the Galerie de Bayser, Caroline Balcon (Archives Drouot) as well as to all those without whom this catalogue raisonné would not have been possible.
References
Michel Schulman