Edgar Degas was a French artist who lived from 1834 to 1917. He is celebrated as one of the most influential figures of the Impressionist movement, renowned for his unique approach to capturing the movement and energy of modern life. Degas' work had a profound impact on the development of modern art, and his influence can be seen in the works of many subsequent artists.
Degas was born into a wealthy family in Paris, and from an early age, he showed a keen interest in art. He received formal training at the École des Beaux-Arts, where he studied the traditional techniques of drawing and painting. However, Degas soon became dissatisfied with the academic style of painting, which he found too rigid and formulaic.
In the 1860s, Degas became associated with a group of artists who would later become known as the Impressionists. He was drawn to their innovative approach to painting, which focused on capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. However, Degas' style remained distinct from that of his Impressionist contemporaries, such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
One of the defining characteristics of Degas' work was his ability to capture movement and energy. He was fascinated by the world of ballet and the theatre, and many of his most famous works depict dancers in various poses and stages of movement. His paintings, such as "The Dance Class" and "The Ballet Rehearsal," are remarkable for their sense of dynamism and their ability to convey the grace and athleticism of the dancers.
Degas' interest in movement extended beyond the world of ballet. He was also captivated by the energy and bustle of modern life in Paris, and many of his works depict scenes from the city's cafes, racetracks, and other public spaces. His paintings, such as "The Absinthe Drinker" and "At the Races," offer a glimpse into the lives of ordinary Parisians and capture the vibrancy of the city's social scene.
Degas was not only innovative in his choice of subject matter but also in his use of materials and techniques. He was known for his experimentation with different media, including pastels, monotypes, and sculpture. His use of pastels, in particular, allowed him to create works with a unique sense of texture and depth, capturing the softness and delicacy of his subjects.
Degas was also known for his unconventional compositions and his use of unusual angles and perspectives. Many of his works feature cropped figures and unusual viewpoints, which add to the sense of movement and energy in his paintings.
Degas' influence on the development of modern art cannot be overstated. His innovative approach to capturing movement and his exploration of new materials and techniques paved the way for the emergence of new artistic movements, such as Cubism and Futurism.
Artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse were heavily influenced by Degas' use of unconventional compositions and his ability to capture the energy and dynamism of modern life. His work also had a significant impact on the development of photography and film, as photographers and filmmakers sought to capture the same sense of movement and energy that Degas achieved in his paintings.
Today, Degas' works are among the most celebrated and recognisible works of art in the world. His legacy as a pioneering figure in the Impressionist movement and as a master of capturing movement and modernity is firmly established, and his works continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the globe.
- In his early career, many of Degas' works were traditional portraits or history paintings depicting classical themes, such as "Young Spartans Exercising" from around 1860.[2]
- These academic-style works reflected his training at the École des Beaux-Arts and adhered to the conventions of the time.[2]
- Around 1862, after meeting Édouard Manet, Degas began transitioning away from classical subjects towards depicting scenes of modern life in Paris.[2][3]
- He became interested in capturing the world of the ballet, opera, horse racing and other aspects of contemporary urban culture.[3][4]
- One of Degas' most famous and enduring themes was ballet dancers, which he first started depicting in the 1870s.[3][4]
- He produced around 1,500 works on this subject, exploring the physicality, movement and behind-the-scenes world of ballet through innovative compositions and viewpoints.[4]
- In addition to ballet, Degas portrayed other scenes of daily life in Paris such as laundresses, milliners, cafe scenes and portraits of individuals from various social classes.[4]
- His choice of modern subjects set him apart from the traditional academic painting of the time.[4]
So while Degas began with history paintings and portraits in line with his academic training, a major shift occurred in the 1860s-1870s when he embraced depicting the people, performers and environments of contemporary Paris, especially ballet.[2][3][4]
[1] Edgar Degas: Mastering Movement in Art - GalleryThane https://gallerythane.com/en-us/blogs/news/edgar-degas-mastering-movement-in-art-a-comprehensive-exploration
[2] Degas, Edgar, 1834–1917 | Art UK https://artuk.org/discover/artists/degas-edgar-18341917
[3] Edgar Degas, major works and video 600 paintings - Art Appraisal https://www.vwart.com/post/edgar-degas-major-works-and-video-600-paintings
[4] Edgar Degas (1834–1917): Painting and Drawing | Essay https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/dgsp/hd_dgsp.htm
[5] Edgar Degas - Impressionism, Realism, Painter | Britannica https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edgar-Degas/Realism-and-Impressionism