On the brink of the centenary of his death next year, the revered French artist Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas is having his first solo show at the Museum of Modern Art. “Edgar Degas: A Strange New Beauty” is a large but intimate exhibition centering on the artist’s monotypes — the most seductive of all print mediums — and their modernizing effect on his art.
It turns out Degas was pretty fond of the process, having made over 300 monotype prints between the mid 1870s and the mid 1890s. The exhibition title comes from the writings of poet Stéphane Mallarmé, who admired the “strange new beauty” of Degas’s works.
There’s also plenty to enjoy for fans who are unwilling to expand their horizons beyond Degas’s paintings and drawings: The monotypes will be accompanied by a range of 60 related works across all of Degas’s mediums, including pastels, prints, and sketchbook studies.
The exhibit was outstanding and well worth the visit!
Below please find my recommendations for a perfect afternoon of food and art.
- Lunch in the MOMA cafe on the 5th Floor. Order any of the toasts as they are really tasty! The chocolate chip cookies are delish and are definitely large enough to be shared.
- If you didn’t get a chance to order the cookies head over to Momofuko Milk Bar for creamy, salty, and buttery snacks, plus desserts, and ice cream. David Chang’s take on cereal milk is unbelievable.
- If you are still hankering for a quick bite for dinner don’t forget the Nobu 57 is about 3 blocks up. If you go early enough you can avoid the crowds and mow down on miso baked cod, rock shrimp and hamachi. Some of the best sushi in the city and oh so close to the museum.