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About this quote

What does it mean?
Degas expresses disapproval of a woman's drawing ability.
In plain terms
I do not accept that a woman can draw like that.
What can you take from it?
Biases can limit recognition of talent.

Where it applies

  • art schools
  • professional critique
  • gender bias

Putting it to work

  • critiquing fairly
  • recognizing talent
  • challenging bias

Questions to consider

  • What biases affect judgment?
  • How do you evaluate talent?

Another view

Drawing ability is not determined by gender.

More from Edgar Degas

  1. I always urged my contemporaries to look for interest and inspiration to the development and study of drawing, but they would not listen. They thought the road…

    Permalink to quote #9
  2. A painting requires a little mystery, some vagueness, and some fantasy. When you always make your meaning perfectly plain you end up boring people.

    Permalink to quote #11
  3. Comme nous avons mal fait de nous laisser appeler Impressionistes.

    Permalink to quote #8

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