"At the Milliner's", Fifteen lithographs by G. W. Thornley after works by Degas

By Edgar de Gas, known as Degas (1834-1917)
Printed in blue on blue paper, between 1889 and 1890. Goupil collection Inv. 97.III.2.1 (5)

In the last decade of the 19th century, the House of Goupil produced two major publications dedicated to Degas. The first, presented in the form of a portfolio, contained fifteen lithographs in black-and-white or in colour, by William Thornley after works by Degas. Published in autumn 1890, the edition was limited to one hundred copies. Each of the lithographs is signed by the lithographer. The subjects selected, characteristic of the work of the painter, mainly represent dancers, women at their toilet and jockeys.

Women trying on hats is one of the artist's favourite themes, and several of his works bear the title At the Milliner's. The pastel reproduced by this lithograph dates from 1882 and is currently held by the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid.

The second publication, produced in 1898 by the House of Goupil, was composed of twenty aquatint photographs entitled 1861-1896).

"At the Milliner's" by Degas