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Conversation: Ludovic Halevy and Madame Cardinal (The Conversation)…, c
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Conversation: Ludovic Halevy and Madame Cardinal (The Conversation)…, c
Conversation: Ludovic Halevy and Madame Cardinal (The Conversation) for " La Famille Cardinal" by Ludovic Halevy, c. 1880-1883. This print comes from a series of more than 30 monotypes that Degas planned as illustrations for La Famille Cardinal by the artists friend Ludovic Halevy. The satirical stories revolve around two young dancers at the Opera, Pauline and Virginie Cardinal, and their procuress mother. In late 19th-century Paris, the ballet was the profession of lower-class girls and young women who were available for sexual hire. Here, in the opening scene, Halevy, the first-person narrator, meets with Madame Cardinal in the coulisses (wings) of the Opera to arrange for a private rendezvous with one of her daughters. The dancers, whose sexual availability is the subtext of the composition, are conspicuously absent
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Media ID 19631576
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1834 1917 Edgar Degas Edgar Degas French Monotype Impressionist
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print titled "Conversation: Ludovic Halevy and Madame Cardinal (The Conversation)" takes us back to late 19th-century Paris, a time when the ballet profession was intertwined with the darker side of society. Created by Edgar Degas, one of the most renowned French impressionist artists, this monotype is part of a series intended as illustrations for Ludovic Halevy's novel "La Famille Cardinal". In this particular scene, we find ourselves in the coulisses (wings) of the Opera where Ludovic Halevy, who also serves as the first-person narrator in his book, engages in a conversation with Madame Cardinal. The purpose behind their meeting is to arrange a private rendezvous between Halevy and one of her daughters - Pauline or Virginie Cardinal. While not explicitly depicted in this composition, it is crucial to understand that these young dancers' availability for sexual hire lies at the heart of their story. In an era where lower-class girls and young women often turned to ballet as means of survival, Degas sheds light on the harsh reality they faced. With his signature impressionistic style and attention to detail, Degas captures both intrigue and tension within this print. It serves as a powerful reminder that art can be more than just aesthetically pleasing; it can also serve as a reflection on societal issues prevalent during its creation.
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