Focus on The Collector of Prints (Degas) and discuss the Description.
The painting depicts an art collector surrounded by some of his acquisitions. On display are a number of cheap lithographs accompanied by more valuable Chinese and Japanese art. It is one of many Degas paintings showing people at work or at leisure in a way that defines their character. The man—whose identity is unknown—is depicted as if caught off-guard while perusing a portfolio of prints that rests against his legs.