Degas paints Carlo Pellegrini (caricaturist)

Background. Carlo Pellegrini, born in Capua, worked as a caricaturist for Vanity Fair magazine in London from 1869 to 1889. Edgar Degas, a French Impressionist known for paintings and pastels, returned to Paris in 1873. Degas's interest in portraiture involved studying how a person's social stature or form of employment may be revealed by physiognomy, posture, dress, and other attributes.

Professional Connection. Pellegrini met Degas in London during the 1870s. Their relationship resulted in a reciprocal exchange of portraits. Pellegrini painted Degas's portrait, inscribed 'à vous/Pellegrini'. In return, Degas painted Pellegrini's portrait, similarly inscribed. This mutual artistic gesture occurred around 1876–77, reflecting their professional interaction in London society.

Pellegrini's Career. Pellegrini became Vanity Fair's first caricaturist, signing as 'Singe' and later 'Ape'. His work for the magazine made his reputation and he became its most influential artist, producing over two thousand caricatures from 1869 to 1889. Although he attempted to establish himself as a portrait painter, this venture met with limited success, contrasting with his primary role as a caricaturist.