Edgar Degas!
If you are an art enthusiast, then you must know him as one of the legendary Impressionists of history.
Now it is no lie that every artist has a unique vision to create art—the vision through which they see the world.
Sometimes the vision to create revolves around a specific subject.
Amid this, Edgar stood shining with his art, mostly revolving around dancers.
What he was trying to do was that he wanted the viewers to appreciate the beauty of our surroundings.
Edgar Degas was also known as a master of capturing movement and life through his realistic paintings.
In this blog, we will explore Edgar’s artistic journey, his painting styles, and the impact he had on the art world.
So, follow along and let us read about the man who created art that appreciated the beauty and grace of everyday life.
Edgar’s Early Life
Edgar Degas was born on July 19, 1834, in Paris, France.
He belonged to a wealthy family, which allowed him to study and pursue art from a very young age.
Edgar was often seen sketching people around him and painting scenes from day-to-day life.
He studies at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, where he learned traditional art techniques.
Degas also traveled to Italy to see the works of great artists like Michelangelo, Manet, and Raphael.
These experiences had a great impact on his style, which later inspired him to capture movement and life.
He became known for his paintings of ballet dancers, dancers in rehearsal, and scenes from life in Paris.
His Source Of Inspiration
Edgar Degas found inspiration in everyday life, especially in the world of ballet and the busy streets of Paris.
He was influenced by his mother, who was an opera singer, so art was something that was in his family.
Degas admired and looked upon the works of artists like Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, etc.Â
His frequent visits to Italy also inspired him, as he learned from great masters like Raphael.
These experiences shaped his unique style and passion for capturing movement in his art.
Edgar’s Painting Style
Edgar Degas had a unique painting style that was a perfect mix of realism with an acute focus on movement.
He loved to use pastels, which allowed him to create soft colors and rich textures in his work.
Degas often painted scenes from everyday life, especially focusing on ballet dancers.
He managed to capture their grace and energy in his paintings.
Degas was known to paint indoors, through which he paid close attention to the details and emotions of his subject.
He had an innovative approach to creating his paintings that set him apart as a phenomenal artist.
Three Famous Paintings by Edgar Degas
So far, we have understood Edgar’s perspective, his painting style, and how famous painters have influenced him.
Now, let us take a look at three famous paintings by him to get an idea of how he painted his vision on a frame.
1. L’Absinthe
L’Absinthe is a famous oil on canvas painting by Edgar Degas.
He created this painting in 1876.
This painting depicts a woman sitting alone in a cafe in Paris; she is looking sad and depressed.
A man can also be seen sitting nearby but they seem to have no connection in between.
This painting captures the feeling of loneliness and the effects of Absinthe.
PS: Absinthe was a strong drink that was immensely popular at that time.
2. The Bellelli FamilyÂ
One of the most famous realism paintings by Edgar Degas was The Bellelli Family.
This is an oil painting that was made by Degas in 1858–1867.
This painting features the family members of Edgar’s relatives.
The family consists of a father, a mother, and their two children.
The scene captures their emotions and relationship with each other.
While the father is looking serious and stressed, the mother in the painting can be seen looking distracted and distant.
Overall, this painting creates a sense of tension in the viewer’s head.
3. The Dancing Class
The Dancing Class is an oil painting on canvas that was completed by Degas in around 1874.
This painting is located in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
It shows a ballet teacher guiding young dancers in a studio.
The scene that is depicted in the painting beautifully captures the hard work and grace of the dancers even while practicing.
How His Art Impacted and Influenced Other Artists
We all know Edgar Degas as one of the most famous French artists, as he had a big impact on the art world with his creations.
He introduced new techniques, like using pastels and unusual angels, that later on influenced many artists.
His paintings of ballet dancers and scenes from life in Paris completely changed how people viewed realism in art.
Edgar Degas was the leading man and he paved the way for impressionism.
His art also insisted that art can capture moments and emotions from a unique perspective.
Not only was he a famous painter in history but his paintings continue to inspire artists in today’s generation as well.
Why did he Stop Painting and his Late Years of Life?
Edgar Degas stopped painting in his later years because he struggled with poor eyesight.
This ultimately made it hard for him to see details and paint.
Despite that, he continued to paint and create art using pastels and sculptures. Unfortunately, he died in 1917 and is now remembered as one of the greatest artists of all time.
Conclusion
This was about the life of Edgar Degas, his art, and his impact on the art world.
He was a phenomenal artist who changed how we see movement and everyday life in art.
Even though he couldn’t paint after a certain point in his life, he chose to reflect on his art.
He also continued to influence other artists throughout his life.
Oh, the man he was!
I adore his paintings and am a huge fan of Edgar Degas.
I believe that once someone decides to dive deep into the world of art, they can’t miss the works by Edgar Degas.
Let me know what you think about the blog in the comments.
I will be looking forward to having a little chit-chat with you in the comments.
Till then,
Take Care & Keep Reading.
