Description
A singer in a yellow dress appears close at the right of Edgar Degas’s At the Café-Concert: The Song of the Dog. White gloves and a red flower accent her costume, while glowing round lamps stand out against the blue-green surroundings. Her warm face and animated delivery give the scene a vivid center, bringing the energy of public entertainment into a closely observed encounter.
Made around 1876–77, the work depicts Thérésa performing at Les Ambassadeurs in Paris. The song required her to imitate a dog, giving the scene a comic theatrical character. Degas began with a monotype, then added gouache and pastel, combining printed tone with worked color. The image’s appeal lies in that mixture of materials and experience: harsh artificial lighting, animated company and the singer’s absorbed delivery come together as a vivid encounter with the city’s popular entertainment.
Read our guide to giclée prints, browse more Edgar Degas prints, or explore The Singer in Green.
