Subject Galleries:
Pages:
|
|
|
|
|
(Hilaire Germain) Edgar Degas, is widely known as one of the greatest impressionist artists, however, his style differs considerably from that of the other members of the group, marking him out as an individualist and an innovator.
|
| Degas was born on July 19th, 1834, his father was an affluent banker. As a young man, he studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts where he developed into an excellent draughtsman. After a period painting classical subjects, Degas was beginning to take a greater interest in contemporary themes by 1865. Although commonly described as an impressionist, capturing the effects of light wasn't central to Degas' approach, rather, he completed most of his paintings in the studio. His central themes were those of everyday life; horse racing, circuses, the theater, and ballet were all great influences.
|
|
|
Degas strove to capture the natural grace of his subjects, whether they were laundry maids or ballet dancers. His paintings are in many ways like snapshots, that catch the subject off-guard and allow us a glimpse of their private world.
|
|
|
Late in life, Degas' eyesight began to deteriorate, and he began to work increasingly on small sculptures and in pastels. His sculptures and drawings of this period, tend to focus on conveying the dynamism of the human form, of which he had an excellent grasp. These works, in contrast to earlier pieces are notable for their use of simple design and vibrant colour. Sadly, Degas was never really successful in life; his popularity largely developed after his death in 1917.
|
|
French Impressionism Category Page | Home |
|
|
