Edgar Degas created 33 monotypes to illustrate La Famille Cardinal, Ludovic Halévy's collection of short stories documenting the backstage life of Pauline and Virginie Cardinal at the Paris Opéra. In 1938 the monotypes were published by Blaizot as etching illustrations for a limited edition rare book of 350 copies. These etchings have been documented by leading Degas scholars Adhemar and Cachin, E. P. Janis and Jean Boggs.