Edgar Degas (1834 Paris - 1917 ibid.) attr; Study of an antique head This drawing is one of Degas' early studies of antiquity, probably dating from around 1856-1858. The model for Degas was the famous marble statue of the so-called "Capitoline Antinous" (130 A.D.), the nude sculpture of a young man found in the villa of Emperor Hadrian in Tivoli (since 1733 in the Capitoline Museums in Rome). Degas took only the head from the large sculpture for his depiction, in which he modulated the fine facial features in the finest way using drawing techniques and subtle heightening and, as it were, worked them out sculpturally. In 1855, Degas, who later became known as an Impressionist, met Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, whom he greatly admired and whose advice he never forgot: "Draw lines, young man, and more lines, both from life and from memory, and you will become a good artist." In the same year, Degas was admitted to the École des Beaux-Arts, where he studied drawing under Louis Lamothe, a pupil of Ingres, under whose guidance he flourished in 1855/56. At the same time, he drew from antiquities and old master paintings in the Paris museums. He was able to continue these studies self-taught when he set off on the obligatory study trip to Italy for visual artists in 1856, visiting Naples and spending around a year and a half in Rome. There he also drew and painted after Renaissance artists, but contrary to the usual practice, he usually chose a detail from a large composition that caught his attention. In July 1858 he continued his journey to Florence, and it was not until April 1859 that Degas returned to Paris. Pencil with white heightening/paper. R. and oval estate stamp in red "ATELIER ED. DEGAS" (Lugt 657). Browned, upper right corner with slight losses and worming. 31.5 cm x 20.5 cm (passepartout). Frame. Provenance (according to stamp and information from the consignor): Estate of Edgar Degas; René de Gas (Paris), Odette de Gas and her husband Rolland Wilhelm gen. Roland Nepveu-Degas (Paris); German private collection. Attributed to Edgar Degas (1834 - 1917). Pencil and whitening on paper. Red oval estate stamp "ATELIER ED. DEGAS" (Lugt 657). Slight light toning, minor flaws an worm hole to the corner upper right.