Edgar Degas (1834–1917) was a French artist considered one of the founders of Impressionism, although he often preferred to be called a Realist or an Independent. Unlike many of his peers who focused on landscape and the effects of light (en plein air), Degas focused almost entirely on the human figure and indoor scenes of modern Parisian life. He participated in most of the Impressionist exhibitions.
Style and Subject Matter
Degas possessed a masterful skill for drawing and a dedication to classical composition, which he combined with the spontaneous subjects of modern life.
Dancers and the Stage: Degas is most famous for his hundreds of paintings, drawings, and sculptures of ballet dancers. He spent countless hours sketching them in rehearsal, performance, and rest, studying their posture and movement with a meticulous, almost scientific eye. He loved capturing the artificial light and backstage reality of the opera.
Unconventional Compositions: He was heavily influenced by photography and Japanese woodblock prints, which led him to use unusual and daring compositions. His works often feature cropped figures, asymmetrical balance, and subjects pushed to the edges of the canvas, giving the viewer the sense of a fleeting, captured snapshot.
Material Experimentation: Degas was a constant innovator with materials. Although he worked in oils, he is perhaps best known for his brilliant use of pastel, which allowed him to achieve vibrant color and a feathery texture with remarkable speed.
Throughout his career, Degas documented the energy, tension, and structure of modern urban life, earning him a place as one of the most intellectually rigorous and technically brilliant artists of his era.
