Landscape, 1892 #3510008

One unusual technique Degas embraced to mesmerizing effect was to layer pastel over a printed matrix, or monotype. To create the monotype, he applied paint or printer’s ink onto a sheet of metal; placed a dampened piece of paper on top of the metal plate; and then ran the two through a printing press together. Because the color did not permanently mark the plate, only a single print could be pulled—hence monotype. (Occasionally Degas did pull a second, much fainter print from the residual ink; these prints are often called “ghosts.”) The artist left some of his monotypes as-is, but others, as here, he enhanced and modified with pastel once the printed matrix had dried.