Edgar Degas (1834 - 1917) - photo 1

Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas, a French artist, was a master of painting, sculpture, and drawing, celebrated for his profound influence on the Impressionist movement despite his preference for being called a realist. Degas was born into a well-off family in Paris, France, and demonstrated a keen interest in art from an early age, eventually shaping his path to become one of the most sophisticated draftsmen of his time. His rigorous academic training and close study of classical art initially aimed him towards a career in history painting, but Degas soon pivoted towards contemporary subject matter, thus cementing his role as a classical painter of modern life​​​​.

Degas is renowned for his dynamic portrayals of movement, particularly in his depictions of dancers, racehorses, and everyday Parisian life. His works are characterized by their psychological depth and the isolation of his figures, showcasing his unique ability to capture the essence of his subjects with both empathy and critical distance. More than half of his oeuvre focuses on dancers, reflecting not only his fascination with the ballet but also his innovative approach to composition and form. This focus on the human figure, explored in various media including oil, pastel, and sculpture, underscores Degas's commitment to studying the nuances of human movement and expression​​​​.

Degas's artistic career is marked by his experimentation with various techniques and materials, as seen in his bronze sculptures and pastel nudes. One of his most famous sculptures, the study of the young ballet student Marie van Goethem, showcases his pioneering use of real objects in sculpture, a practice that prefigured later artistic innovations. Despite the controversies that sometimes surrounded his work, particularly in his depictions of the female nude, Degas's legacy as an artist who bridged the gap between traditional academic art and the modern movements of the early 20th century remains undisputed​​.

For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Degas's work offers a fascinating study in the evolution of modern art, highlighting the artist's deep engagement with the cultural and social dynamics of his time. His pieces, whether in the form of paintings, sculptures, or prints, continue to captivate audiences with their complexity, beauty, and innovative spirit.

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Date and place of birt:19 july 1834, Paris, France
Date and place of death:27 september 1917, Paris, France
Nationality:France
Period of activity: XIX, XX century
Specialization:Artist, Painter, Sculptor
Genre:Genre art, History painting
Art style:Impressionism, Modern art, Realism, Classicism

Creators France

Moïse Jacobber (1786 - 1864)
Moïse Jacobber
1786 - 1864
Alfredo Ramos Martinez (1871 - 1946)
Alfredo Ramos Martinez
1871 - 1946
Gerard Garouste (1946)
Gerard Garouste
1946
Enguerrand de Monstrelet (1390 - 1453)
Enguerrand de Monstrelet
1390 - 1453
Léon de Smet (1881 - 1966)
Léon de Smet
1881 - 1966
François Pils (1785 - 1867)
François Pils
1785 - 1867
Pierre-Denis Martin (1663 - 1742)
Pierre-Denis Martin
1663 - 1742
Henri-Joseph Harpignies (1819 - 1916)
Henri-Joseph Harpignies
1819 - 1916
Pierre Gobert (1662 - 1744)
Pierre Gobert
1662 - 1744
Line Vautrin (1913 - 1997)
Line Vautrin
1913 - 1997
Tschang-Yeul Kim (1929 - 2021)
Tschang-Yeul Kim
1929 - 2021
Johnny Friedlaender (1912 - 1992)
Johnny Friedlaender
1912 - 1992
Jean-Louis de Marne (1752 - 1829)
Jean-Louis de Marne
1752 - 1829
Louis Picard (1861 - 1940)
Louis Picard
1861 - 1940
Viktor Oliva (1861 - 1928)
Viktor Oliva
1861 - 1928
Maximilien Luce (1858 - 1941)
Maximilien Luce
1858 - 1941

Creators Classicism

Othon Friesz (1879 - 1949)
Othon Friesz
1879 - 1949
Max Emanuel Zettler (1886 - 1926)
Max Emanuel Zettler
1886 - 1926
Adolf Schreyer (1828 - 1899)
Adolf Schreyer
1828 - 1899
Amandus Faure (1874 - 1931)
Amandus Faure
1874 - 1931
Thérèse Schwartze (1851 - 1918)
Thérèse Schwartze
1851 - 1918
Henri Lebasque (1865 - 1937)
Henri Lebasque
1865 - 1937
Ida Kerkovius (1879 - 1970)
Ida Kerkovius
1879 - 1970
Fernand Léger (1881 - 1955)
Fernand Léger
1881 - 1955
Jules Bastien-Lepage (1848 - 1884)
Jules Bastien-Lepage
1848 - 1884
Sydney Long (1871 - 1955)
Sydney Long
1871 - 1955
Carl Auböck (1900 - 1957)
Carl Auböck
1900 - 1957
Hanns Herzing (1890 - 1971)
Hanns Herzing
1890 - 1971
Petrus Johannes van Regemorter (1755 - 1830)
Petrus Johannes van Regemorter
1755 - 1830
Bruce Weber (1946)
Bruce Weber
1946
Rudolf Anton Guba (1884 - 1950)
Rudolf Anton Guba
1884 - 1950
Gösta Adrian-Nilsson (1884 - 1965)
Gösta Adrian-Nilsson
1884 - 1965
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