Artists

Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas

(1834 - 1917)
Born: Paris, France
Style: Impressionism
Famous Works:
  • The Rehearsal (1873-4)
  • L'Absinthe (The Absinthe Drinker) (1876)
  • Prima Ballerina (1876)
Edgar Degas is often associated with other French Impressionists, however, the artist's vision was fundamentally different. Rather than working directly from nature, as most of his peers were, Degas worked to convey the spontaneous movement of figures. His art captured the compositions of snapshot photographs and the hues of Japanese prints. Degas was a master of composition; through building seemingly accidental pictures he was able to integrate the viewer into the experience of the scene. Many of his paintings appear to have a private narrative, a personal point of view due to their unusual cropping and angles. This unique mastery of composition sets him apart from other Impressionists. Besides his work in oil, Degas is known for his pastel drawings. Degas completed an extensive series in oil and pastel on the ballet dancers at the Paris Opera. His meticulous observation of movement, in combination with the formal aspects of ballet, produced cunning pictures of young women in rehearsal and exhibition costumes executed with light and active strokes and luminous hues. Degas was also a gifted draughtsman. He used line to carve out space rather than articulate the surface of the canvas, as his colleagues did. This study in line was inspired by his relationship with Ingres. As his eyesight failed him in his later years Degas turned to sculpting figures that were later cast in bronze after his death. Edgar Degas was one of the first Impressionists to be hailed as an international master, perhaps due not only to his contributions and superior skill as an artist, but also due to the ways in which his work is distinguished from other Impressionists.
You May Also Like...

From $3.69

Charcoal Pencil Kit

by General's

Create beautiful blended sketches
Top Rated

Up to 32% Off

Up to 32% Off

At Least 39% Off

Extra Fine Watercolors

by Daniel Smith

The most innovative watercolor!

Up to 32% Off

At Least 39% Off

Extra Fine Watercolors

by Daniel Smith

The most innovative watercolor!

At Least 29% Off

Museum Aquarelle Pencils Sets

by Caran d'Ache

Meets the drawing and watercolor painting needs of artists.

From $1.35

   
Latest Product Reviews
Nicely finished and easy to assemble
- William c hunter in San Rafael, CA
Very good quality. Exactly what I was looking for.
- Magnifier with light in New York
I love Mister Art. Never disappointed in the products they sell, and they deliver so quickly.
- AZ in Oklahoma City, OK
Free Download for Kids

Download free coloring book pages Download FREE coloring
book pages to color at
home or school.

View Pages »