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

Franz Ertinger (1640 - 1710)
Franz Ertinger
1640 - 1710
Marc-Antoine Fehr (1953)
Marc-Antoine Fehr
1953
Roland Oudot (1897 - 1981)
Roland Oudot
1897 - 1981
Serge Poliakoff (1900 - 1969)
Serge Poliakoff
1900 - 1969
Antoine Coypel (1661 - 1722)
Antoine Coypel
1661 - 1722
Alfred de Dreux (1810 - 1860)
Alfred de Dreux
1810 - 1860
Jacques Joseph Eckhout (1793 - 1861)
Jacques Joseph Eckhout
1793 - 1861
 Toyen (1902 - 1980)
Toyen
1902 - 1980
 Mr. Brainwash (1966)
Mr. Brainwash
1966
Jacques Hupin (XVII century - ?)
Jacques Hupin
XVII century - ?
Michio Ihara (1928)
Michio Ihara
1928
Achille Lucien Mauzan (1883 - 1952)
Achille Lucien Mauzan
1883 - 1952
Mikhail Markianovich Germashev (1867 - 1930)
Mikhail Markianovich Germashev
1867 - 1930
Joseph-Laurent Malaine (1745 - 1809)
Joseph-Laurent Malaine
1745 - 1809
Oleg Sergeyevich Prokofiev (1928 - 1998)
Oleg Sergeyevich Prokofiev
1928 - 1998
Henri Matisse (1869 - 1954)
Henri Matisse
1869 - 1954

Creators Classicism

Alvar Aalto (1898 - 1976)
Alvar Aalto
1898 - 1976
Jonathan Guaitamacchi (1961)
Jonathan Guaitamacchi
1961
Adolf Höfer (1869 - 1927)
Adolf Höfer
1869 - 1927
Heinrich Wieschebrink (1852 - 1885)
Heinrich Wieschebrink
1852 - 1885
Martinus van Andringa (1864 - 1918)
Martinus van Andringa
1864 - 1918
Piero Todeschini (1888 - 1945)
Piero Todeschini
1888 - 1945
Guy Bourdin (1928 - 1991)
Guy Bourdin
1928 - 1991
Marie Elisabeth Wiegmann (1820 - 1893)
Marie Elisabeth Wiegmann
1820 - 1893
Janet Cooling (1951 - 2022)
Janet Cooling
1951 - 2022
William Lionel Wyllie (1851 - 1931)
William Lionel Wyllie
1851 - 1931
Oswald Achenbach (1827 - 1905)
Oswald Achenbach
1827 - 1905
Augustin Pajou (1730 - 1809)
Augustin Pajou
1730 - 1809
Edmund Blampied (1886 - 1966)
Edmund Blampied
1886 - 1966
Anders Andersen-Lundby (1841 - 1923)
Anders Andersen-Lundby
1841 - 1923
Catharine Carter Critcher (1868 - 1964)
Catharine Carter Critcher
1868 - 1964
Reinhard Sebastian Zimmermann (1815 - 1893)
Reinhard Sebastian Zimmermann
1815 - 1893
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