Edgar Degas – The Lawn and the Undergrowth, 1890-93 Sotheby’s

The artwork presents a horizontal expanse dominated by verdant hues, evoking a sense of natural enclosure. A broad field of grass occupies the lower portion, rendered in varying shades of green – from pale yellows and chartreuse to deeper olive tones – suggesting both sunlight and shadow play across its surface. The texture appears rough, achieved through visible strokes that mimic the unevenness of vegetation.
A dense thicket of foliage forms a barrier along the upper edge of the composition. These darker greens and browns are applied with a similar energetic application, obscuring any clear definition of individual leaves or branches. They create an impression of impenetrable growth, hinting at a wilder, less cultivated space beyond.
Within this screen of vegetation, a faint suggestion of a structure – perhaps a fence or wall – is discernible. It is rendered in muted tones and lacks sharp detail, appearing almost as an accidental consequence of the surrounding foliage rather than a deliberate architectural element. This ambiguity contributes to the overall feeling of observation from a distance, a glimpse into a secluded area.
The artist’s use of pastels lends a softness to the scene, blurring edges and diminishing contrast. The limited palette reinforces the impression of a quiet, introspective moment spent in nature. There is an absence of human presence or activity; the focus remains entirely on the natural environment itself.
Subtly, the work conveys a sense of melancholy or solitude. The obscured view and muted colors evoke a feeling of restraint, as if something significant lies just beyond reach. It’s not merely a depiction of landscape but rather an exploration of perception – the way we experience and interpret the world around us through layers of visual obstruction and emotional distance.