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Sortie du Théâtre
Sortie du Théâtre

Sortie du Théâtre

Artist (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
Other Titles
  • 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
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.