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.

If you are keen to stay updated on sales and auction events related to Edgar Degas, signing up for updates is a prudent choice. This subscription service ensures that you remain informed about new opportunities to acquire works by this pivotal figure in the art world, without overwhelming you with unnecessary information.

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
Edgar Degas (1834-1917) - Now at the auction

Now at the auction Edgar Degas

All lots
1 lot
put up for auction
See auction lots

Creators France

Alexandre-Jean Dubois-Drahonet (1791 - 1834)
Alexandre-Jean Dubois-Drahonet
1791 - 1834
Nikolai Alexandrovich Tarkhov (1871 - 1930)
Nikolai Alexandrovich Tarkhov
1871 - 1930
Louis Aragon (1897 - 1982)
Louis Aragon
1897 - 1982
Emmanuel Mané-Katz (1894 - 1962)
Emmanuel Mané-Katz
1894 - 1962
Guillaume Fillastre (1348 - 1428)
Guillaume Fillastre
1348 - 1428
Claude Venard (1913 - 1999)
Claude Venard
1913 - 1999
Jean-Louis Voille (1744 - 1829)
Jean-Louis Voille
1744 - 1829
Francesco Primaticcio (1503 - 1570)
Francesco Primaticcio
1503 - 1570
Pierre-Antoine Mongin (1761 - 1827)
Pierre-Antoine Mongin
1761 - 1827
Jean Giraudoux (1882 - 1944)
Jean Giraudoux
1882 - 1944
Edgar Brandt (1880 - 1960)
Edgar Brandt
1880 - 1960
Emile-Auguste Hublin (1830 - 1891)
Emile-Auguste Hublin
1830 - 1891
Charles-Louis Clérisseau (1721 - 1820)
Charles-Louis Clérisseau
1721 - 1820
Henri-Pierre Picou (1824 - 1895)
Henri-Pierre Picou
1824 - 1895
Marcel Fiorini (1922 - 2008)
Marcel Fiorini
1922 - 2008
Bill Culbert (1935 - 2019)
Bill Culbert
1935 - 2019

Creators Classicism

Fedor Mikhailovich Stukoshin (1914 - 1974)
Fedor Mikhailovich Stukoshin
1914 - 1974
Karl Alexander Brendel (1877 - 1945)
Karl Alexander Brendel
1877 - 1945
Cristobal Piza Ensenyat (1850 - 1936)
Cristobal Piza Ensenyat
1850 - 1936
James Clarke Hook (1819 - 1907)
James Clarke Hook
1819 - 1907
Jeanna Bauck (1840 - 1926)
Jeanna Bauck
1840 - 1926
Paul Koken (1853 - 1910)
Paul Koken
1853 - 1910
Stefan Pauli (1949 - 2019)
Stefan Pauli
1949 - 2019
Ivan Meštrović (1883 - 1962)
Ivan Meštrović
1883 - 1962
Vasily Alexeyevich Vatagin (1884 - 1969)
Vasily Alexeyevich Vatagin
1884 - 1969
Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat (1844 - 1910)
Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat
1844 - 1910
Nelson Kinsley (1863 - 1945)
Nelson Kinsley
1863 - 1945
Nikolai Astrup (1890 - 1928)
Nikolai Astrup
1890 - 1928
Robert MacBryde (1913 - 1966)
Robert MacBryde
1913 - 1966
Imre Szobotka (1890 - 1961)
Imre Szobotka
1890 - 1961
Corrado Corradi-Dell'Acqua (1905 - 1982)
Corrado Corradi-Dell'Acqua
1905 - 1982
Louis Durr (1896 - 1972)
Louis Durr
1896 - 1972
× Create a Search Subscription