Edgar Degas

Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas, known generally as Edgar Degas, was born on July 19, 1834, in Paris, France. Degas would become one of the founders of Impressionism, though he preferred to be called a realist. Known for his mastery in depicting movement, he applied traditional methods like draftsmanship to modern subjects like ballet dancers and Parisian nightlife.

In April of 1853, Edgar Degas enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, one of the most prestigious art schools in the world. Under the tutelage of Louis Lamothe, a follower of Ingres, Degas honed his skills in precise draftsmanship and classical painting methods. His time at the École greatly influenced his later works, blending traditional techniques with modern subject matter.

Degas made his debut at the Paris Salon in 1865 with the painting 'Scene of War in the Middle Ages.' While exhibiting at the Salon, Degas was able to display his work to a wide audience and began to gain recognition for his artistic talent, illustrating contemporary scenes with historical and classical accuracy.

In April 1874, Edgar Degas participated in the first Impressionist exhibition, which was held in the studio of the photographer Nadar. Degas exhibited along with Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, and others, showcasing works that deviated from the traditional standards of the Salon. His participation marked him as a key figure in the Impressionist movement, even though he came to prefer classical art.

Edgar Degas' sculpture 'Little Dancer of Fourteen Years' was exhibited at the 6th Impressionist Exhibition in 1881. The sculpture caused a mix of admiration and controversy because of its representation of a young ballet dancer in a naturalistic and unidealized pose. This work reflected Degas' interest in movement and the working bodies of dancers, captured realistically.

In the 1890s, Edgar Degas began experimenting more extensively with pastels, a medium that he found versatile and expressive for capturing the colors and movements of dancers. This period resulted in the creation of many of his well-known pastels, which depict ballet rehearsal rooms with dramatic lighting and energetic figures, enhancing his reputation as a master of capturing motion and emotion.

By 1912, Degas, facing increasing difficulties with his eyesight, moved to an artistically vibrant section of Paris on the Boulevard de Clichy. Despite his visual impairments, Degas continued to work, though the quality and quantity of his output were affected. This period marks a gradual decline in his production but his legacy in the art world remained strong.

Edgar Degas died on September 27, 1917, in Paris, France. His contributions to art, particularly his innovations in capturing movement, had made a lasting impact on Impressionist and modern art. Degas was remembered not only for his painting and sculpting but also for his influence on preserving realist tradition within modern art practices.

In 1998, The Art Institute of Chicago organized a major retrospective exhibition of Edgar Degas' work. This exhibition brought together a comprehensive collection of his art, from paintings to sculptures, offering a thorough examination of his contributions to the art world. It underscored the significance of Degas in both his time and the enduring legacy he left in modern art.

In 2018, the Musée d'Orsay in Paris held a major Degas exhibition focusing on his horsemanship and horseback scenes. This exhibition, titled 'Degas at the Opera,' highlighted how his fascination with motion extended beyond dancers, to jockeys and horses, hence illustrating how Degas expanded his exploration of dynamic movement across different subjects.