Sortie du Théâtre

Artist Charles Georges Dufresne (Millemont, France, 1876 - 1938)

Date1905

Mediumpastel and gouache on paper

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 78.5 cm, Width: 54.6 cm
Frame: Height: 97.5 cm, Width: 74.1 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1954 with income from the Jaffrey Fund.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003183

Keywords

Historic Title

Going to the Ball

About MeDufresne was born in 1876 of a seafaring family in the province of Seine-et-Oise. He left school at eleven years old and worked with a commercial artist whilst studying drawing at night classes. Later he attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Being compelled to work for his living, he took a job in a sculptor's studio. His first works to attract attention were pastels, dating from around 1906.

Sortie du Théâtre is believed to be one such early work, done at a time when Dufresne was using pastel as a medium and drawing on Parisian life for his subject matter. The asymmetrical placing of the figures and the abrupt cutting off of the door by the edge of the picture, are elements derived from Japanese prints that were influencing many artists in Paris including Degas, Bonnard and Toulouse Lautrec, during the last quarter of the 19th century.

More About Me

Collections Wall

Dufresne seems influenced by Japanese art and style here, in one of his early works in pastel. A nice sense of movement leads the couple towards the doorway.