Degas and His Model

by Alice Michel

There are many myths about the artist Edgar Degas—from Degas the misanthrope to Degas the deviant, to Degas the obsessive. But there is no single text that better stokes the fire than Degas and His Model , a short memoir published by Alice Michel, who purportedly modeled for Degas.

Never before translated into English, the text’s original publication in Mercure de France in 1919, shortly after the artist’s death, has been treated as an important account of the master sculptor at work. We know that Alice was writing under a pseudonym, but who the real person behind this account was remains a mystery—to this day nothing is known about her. Yet, the descriptions seem too accurate to be ignored, the anecdotes too spot-on to discount; even the dialogue captures the artist’s tone and mannerisms.

What is found in these pages is at times a woman’s flirtatious recollection of a bizarre “artistic type” and at others a moving attempt to connect with a great, often tragic man. The descriptions are limpid, unburdened; the dialogue is lively and intimate, not unlike reading the very best kind of gossip, with world-historical significance. Here in these dusty studios, Degas is alive, running hands over clay, complaining about his eyes, denigrating the other artists around him, and whispering salaciously to his model. And during his mood swings, we see reflected the model’s innocence and confusion, her pain at being misunderstood and finally rejected. It is an intimate portrait of a moment in a great artist’s life, a sort of Bildungsroman in which his model (whoever she may be) does not emerge unscathed.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Biography

88 pages, Paperback

Published August 22, 2017

Reviews

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edgar Degas was one of my father's favourite painters. A painting by Degas of a dissolute couple drinking absinthe was a favourite of his, and a print of it hung in my bachelor digs long ago.
In this pseudonymous retelling of one of his models' memories of him, he is old, losing his vision, and trying to compensate by turning to sculpture.
The portrait that emerges is of a cantankerous, vituperative, bigoted, moody, sometimes charming old man who has simply lived out his life and is waiting for the end. Published first when Degas' posthumous stock was at an early high, this is not a scurrilous tale-telling and it certainly isn't a hagiographic encomium. Instead it's a fond, but clear eyed portrait, possibly from like, of a flawed man who made some great art. Balance? Honesty? Withholding snap judgement? Netflix would never allow it!

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scrumptious little read!

Cool little glimpse at the old artist’s world through the model’s eyes (although it was unromantic at best haha) and it was such a cute copy to gobble up on the tube ride back and during my lunch.

I don’t regret the buy, but my despair at the amount of books I’m about to lug back will only grow as December approaches T-T

[Jess Foley · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a former artist model, who is obsessed with labor issues I am shocked at my reaction to this 58- page book:
I did not love it.
I start this review saying "I" a lot because I am perhaps the problem in my approach to this novel. I was a model for years, and I loved every minute of the work.
Yes, modeling was hard. Yes, the studios in which you work are often cold and dirty. Yes, the poses can make your body hurt. Yes, the artists were sometimes demanding, probing or dismissive, yet I, personally, did not really care. I loved modeling so much.
It was extremely difficult to sympathize with the model, Pauline's indictment of Edgar Degas. Her objective to tear the legendary artist down from his pedestal is clear from the very first page, blatantly describing him as:
"an orge: his prominent forehead bulged over his nose, and when his nostrils flared you thought he might even breathe fire." ---I have had bosses that suck too, but this is a bit much, no?

Pauline is an untrustworthy narrator because she is not a real person, but a composite of three different models named Pauline in Degas' ledger.

Jeff Nagy, in his introduction to this slip of a book, provides a possible explanation for the sensational tone which dominates this sketch of the famous artist, when he asks
"Who Alice Michel and who was this model who provided the evidence for this thoroughly demystified version of Degas?...There is no record of her..." --
This is a memoir of a person who does not exist? How can I trust it?
***Note: There is a monster in the middle of this book and it's name is Degas: 27 pages in the artist basically becomes the worst orge- monster-villain, spouting complete antisemitic insanity, saying: "I detest them, those Jews!” he rages. “An abominable race that ought to be shut up in ghettos. Or even totally eradicated!” --Heads up. So you can just skip that part, because its just awful, and sad.
I loved Degas' ballerinas. Degas paintings were my go-to resource when I first taught myself to model, and now I'll think twice when approaching his work. Thanks, Alice Michel, whomever you were. I completely support speaking truth to power, especially in 2018, but I think the key word here is "truth", and this book feels a too much like fiction. Indict the man. Fine, but provide more substantial facts to support your case please.

[Darin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short piece of narrative nonfiction depicts the artist as an impotent old man, precisely when his previous works were selling for unheard of sums and he was being feted in the press. It’s an unflattering, pitiable portrayal, but fascinating for the window it gives into the methods of this master of figurative painting. Recommended.

[Saa · Rating 4 out of 5]

imagine if your artsy friend spilled all the tea about their time modeling for a moody french artist. It’s like reading a diary entry filled with sass, awkward poses, and a dash of existential dread. degas is both a genius and a grumpy old man, and the model? she’s just trying to survive the chaos. It’s messy, real, and surprisingly relatable

[Brainard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book with descriptions of the artist studio in 1902 or so, the studio of Degas. It is a page turner as well with the artist being abusive and anti Semitic too. This series, ekphrasis from David Zwirner is fantastic, I plan to read them all.

[Dick van Broekhuizen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This translation by Jeff Nagy of a French source, originally published in the Mercure de France in 1919, is curious to say the least. We do not know who is hidden behind the pseudonym Alice Michel, and why the text is written as a kind of fiction. My guess would be, the reader is supposed to feel more empathy for the model and the master, Edgar Degas, who is frustrated because of his declinig eyesight. Would this be the reason for the old painter, to take up sculpture? We now know this is not the case, but in 1919 this could still be a viable hypothesis, 38 years after Degas showed his Little Dancer in the 6th Impressionist Exhibition (1881). Sometimes, artists would be criticised or described using the literary form of the novel. For the sculptor Fremiet, we have such a text, resembling an opera libretto or stage play text by critic Viktor Widmann. The literary implications and intertextualities are much more complex than one would meet in a more non-fictional surrounding. E.g., the grumpiness of Degas could be attributed to his own personality, but also to a certain art-biographical-literary topos, which is linked with e.g. Turner. A complex source all in all, which is admirably translated and introduced by the translator. I would hesitate to reconstruct the studio by these descriptions, here in the text, as Kendall does in his monograph. For a general impression (pun intended), a great source.

[Piper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. The painter came to life, flaws and virtues alike. I think that this was an insightful read, however I would not necessarily recommend it to every reader. If you have no interest in Degas, then this read is unlikely to benefit you in any way.

[Sharyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating glimpse into the later years of the artist Degas from a model's point of view. It is tantalizing to believe this was written by one of his models.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful into the personality and way of working of the artist. Easy to read

[Anna Suh · Rating 3 out of 5]

thinking about modeling for degas to achieve my dream bod...

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting account of art from a models perspective, whether or not it's based in historical fact.

[Angela Natividad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never see Degas the same way

[Isabella Vallone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely light read of an insight into Degas’ artistic process! Totally recommend to fans

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Degas seemed like a typical old dickhead. This was a cute little book.

[Jacob Fondriest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and not particularly gripping, Degas and His Model is largely interesting as a (purported) insight into the vindictive personal life of the familiar artist.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book by a pseudonymous author purports to present the memoirs of a model, who may or may not be the author using an assumed name, of the time she spent posing for a sculpture by Edgar Degas. The book is filled with anecdotes from those episodes that can be equated with the gossipy stories that fill modern day tabloids. It is an interesting read for anyone interested in art.

It rates 3.5 stars.

[Nora Blue]

A short touching first person narrative of the model who posed for dancer looks at her right foot. Towards the end of Degas' life as seen through the perspective of his model. Written pseudonymously by an unknown author. Introduction helpful and explanatory.

[Craig Masten · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Degas and his Model" by Alice Michel is reportedly an account by one of his model's experiences posing for the painter late in his life. It portrays him in a considerably unfavorable light as an old man of diminished function, not in accord with the more popular conception of him in his prime. It was published a couple of years after his death, and at the time and since generally has been considered to be probably a true representation of one model's experiences with him. Anyone interested in Degas will find it important to read and consider. Reality, like it or not, takes into account both our fortunate and unfortunate times.