Paul Lafond and Alphonse Cherfils Examining a Paintingc. 1878–80 · Study 1958.25

Context from the museum

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 Société 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.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

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.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected unframed measurement for Paul Lafond and Alphonse Cherfils Examining a Painting is 34 cm wide and 27 cm high, equivalent to approximately 13.4 × 10.6 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 1.26:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.09 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 11.3% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 133.0 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Paul Lafond and Alphonse Cherfils Examining a Painting in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, oil on wood panel, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 34 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?