The upper left corner of this painting bears a dedication by Degas to his dear friends. The double portrait depicts Paul Lafond (left), future curator of the art museum at Pau, in southwestern France, and Alphonse Cherfils (right), an art collector and defender of the Impressionists. Through the influence of these friends, Degas's works were selected for the annual exhibitions of the Soci¨¦t¨¦ des Amis des Arts (Society of Friends of the Arts), and his painting, A Cotton Office (1873), was the first by the artist to be purchased by a museum. Since the painting held by the two men is probably by Degas, this intimate image commemorates both personal and business relationships. Title Paul Lafond and Alphonse Cherfils Examining a Painting Creator Edgar Degas (French, 1834¨C1917) Date Created c. 1878¨C80 Physical Dimensions Framed 42.5 x 50 x 6 cm (16 3/4 x 19 11/16 x 2 3/8 in.); Unframed 27 x 34 cm (10 5/8 x 13 3/8 in.) Provenance Alphonse Cherfils, Pau, France, by descent to his son, Christian Cherfils, Christian Cherfils, Pau, France, Marcel Gu¨¦rin [1873-1948], Paris, France, (Wildenstein & Co., New York, NY, January 10, 1950, sold to Leonard C. Hanna, Jr.), Leonard C. Hannah [1889-1957], Cleveland, OH, bequeathed to the Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH Type Painting Rights CC0 Medium oil on wood panel Inscriptions Signed in upper left Degas / a [sic] ses chers amis Fun Fact The gentlemen in this painting had close relationships with many Parisian artists and would go directly to their studios to purchase works that they wanted to exhibit or sell. Department Modern European Painting and Sculpture Culture France, 19th century Credit Line Bequest of Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Collection Mod Euro - Painting 1800-1960 Accession Number 1958.25
