Edgar Degas ( * 1834 † 1917 )

Self-portrait of Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas: A Visionary at the Heart of Parisian Life

 

Born in Paris on July 19, 1834, Edgar Degas stands out as one of the artistic giants of his time, though he rejected the label of impressionist. As both a painter and sculptor, Degas broke away from impressionist conventions to establish his own visual language. His work, rich in nuanced compositions and linear structures, explores a variety of subjects: dance, horse racing, Parisian nightlife, and portraits, often created in oil or pastel.

The eldest of five children in a middle-class family, Degas began his artistic training under Louis Lamothe, a student of Ingres. Enrolling in the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1855, he later continued his studies in Italy. Upon his return to Paris in 1859, he initially focused on historical painting. Faced with a lukewarm reception, he shifted toward more contemporary themes inspired by everyday Parisian life.

Over the years, Degas formed friendships with other avant-garde artists like Édouard Manet, Paul Cézanne, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Influenced by the critic and writer Edmond Duranty, he played a key role in organizing the first “impressionist exhibitions” in 1874, challenging the monopoly of the Paris Salon. Unfortunately, the later phase of his career was overshadowed by vision problems. His worsening condition forced him to abandon painting in favor of sculpture. By 1908, nearly blind, he ceased all artistic creation. He passed away on September 27, 1917, from a cerebral hemorrhage.

Wall art prints and famous paintings by Edgar Degas
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