Edgar Degas: The Master of Movement and Modernity
- Josefina Vergara
- Jan 15
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Edgar Degas: The Master of Movement and Modernity
Edgar Degas (1834-1917) was one of the most celebrated artists of the Impressionist movement, known for his innovative approach to composition, light, and movement. While many associate him primarily with his depictions of ballerinas, his body of work also encompasses portraits, racehorses, bathers, and urban scenes, revealing a deep interest in human behavior and the dynamics of modern life.
Early Life and Education
Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar de Gas in Paris, Degas came from a wealthy family with connections to the arts. His father, Augustin de Gas, was a banker, and his mother, Célestine Musson, was of Creole descent from New Orleans. Degas initially pursued a conventional education, studying at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand, but his passion for art led him to enroll in the École des Beaux-Arts in 1855. He also traveled to Italy, immersing himself in the works of Renaissance masters such as Michelangelo and Raphael, which profoundly influenced his later work.
Artistic Friends and Influences
Degas was part of a vibrant circle of artists and intellectuals in Paris. He maintained close friendships with contemporaries such as Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, all of whom were central figures in the Impressionist movement. However, Degas often distanced himself from the term "Impressionist," preferring to call himself a "realist" or "independent."
Unlike many Impressionists, Degas preferred working indoors and was less interested in plein air painting. He shared a deep intellectual camaraderie with Mary Cassatt, an American artist who also explored themes of modern life and the intimate world of women. Their friendship was rooted in mutual respect and a shared dedication to exploring innovative techniques. Degas introduced Cassatt to the technique of printmaking, while she inspired him with her depictions of women and children. Both artists were influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e prints, and their works often reflect a similar attention to pattern, line, and unconventional perspectives.
Innovative Techniques and Style
Degas’s technique was both experimental and meticulous. He combined traditional methods with modern innovations, often blending pastels, oils, and even monotypes in the same work. His pastel drawings, such as The Star (1878), showcase his ability to capture fleeting moments with vibrant color and dynamic lines. His use of cropping, inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e prints and photography, lent his compositions a striking immediacy.
One of Degas’s most famous sculptures, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen (1881), was revolutionary for its time. Cast in wax and dressed with real fabric and a wig, it challenged traditional notions of sculpture by incorporating mixed media. Critics of the time were divided; some found it disturbingly lifelike, while others admired its realism and daring.
Degas and the Ballet
Ballet was a recurring subject in Degas’s work, offering a lens through which he explored movement, form, and the lives of working-class women. Works such as The Dance Class (1874) and Dancers in Blue (1890) reveal the artist’s fascination with the rigorous discipline and ephemeral grace of dancers. His backstage scenes and candid poses provide a behind-the-scenes look at the grueling reality of a dancer’s life, contrasting with the polished performances seen on stage.
Personal Life and Later Years
Despite his social circle, Degas was a solitary figure. He never married and was known for his sharp wit and sometimes abrasive personality. As he aged, he became increasingly reclusive, particularly as his eyesight deteriorated. This loss of vision led him to focus more on sculpture and pastel work in his later years.
Degas’s financial stability allowed him to amass a significant art collection, including works by Delacroix, Ingres, and Japanese prints. His collection reflected his eclectic tastes and deep appreciation for art history.
Legacy of Edgar Degas: The Master of Movement and Modernity
Edgar Degas’s contributions to modern art cannot be overstated. His innovative techniques and unflinching exploration of modernity influenced countless artists, from Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec to Pablo Picasso. Today, his works are housed in prestigious institutions such as the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where they continue to captivate audiences.
Degas remains a testament to the power of art to capture the complexity of human experience, blending tradition with innovation to create works that resonate across generations.
Sources
Kendall, Richard. Degas: Beyond Impressionism. Yale University Press, 1996.
Callen, Anthea. The Spectacular Body: Science, Method, and Meaning in the Work of Degas. Yale University Press, 1995.
Reff, Theodore. Degas: The Artist's Mind. Harvard University Press, 1976.
Musée d’Orsay official website: www.musee-orsay.fr
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Degas (1834–1917): Impressionist Innovator. www.metmuseum.org
At Sublime, we celebrate this legacy by creating beautiful products featuring these masterpieces, allowing you to carry, gift, and decorate your space with art inspired by these iconic works. https://www.redbubble.com/people/WeareSublime/explore?asc=u
Comments