Portrait of Degas's Niece

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Portrait of Degas's Niece (Joe Balfour?)
ca. 1872-1873
Edgar Degas

The identity of the model is not certain, but the style suggests it was made during Degas's stay in New Orleans (1872-1873) when he visited his brother Achile and his mother's relatives, the Musson family. It probably shows Degas's niece Joe Balfour, the daughter of Estelle Musson De Gas, or perhaps Carrie Bell, Degas's other niece and the daughter of Mathilde Musson Bell.