{"title":"Edgar Degas","description":"\u003cp id=\"p-rc_3db3313ef925d1cd-80\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-236 citation-end-236\"\u003eEdgar Degas was a fascinating and complex figure in the art world.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Here are some of the most interesting facts about him: \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e1. \u003cspan class=\"citation-235 citation-end-235\"\u003eHe Hated the Term \"Impressionist\"\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_3db3313ef925d1cd-81\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-234 citation-end-234\"\u003eAlthough Degas is famously grouped with the Impressionists and exhibited in seven of their eight shows, he strongly rejected the label.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-233 citation-end-233\"\u003eHe preferred to call himself a \"Realist\" or an \"Independent.\"\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-232\"\u003eHe famously argued against the Impressionist practice of painting \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-232\"\u003een plein air\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-232 citation-end-232\"\u003e (outdoors), believing that art should be a product of memory and studio deliberation rather than spontaneous observation.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2. \u003cspan class=\"citation-231 citation-end-231\"\u003eHe Was a Reluctant Lawyer\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_3db3313ef925d1cd-82\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-230 citation-end-230\"\u003eBorn into a wealthy Parisian banking family, Degas was pressured by his father to study law.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-229 citation-end-229\"\u003eHe dutifully enrolled in law school in 1853 but reportedly put in very little effort, preferring to spend his time copying drawings at the Louvre.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-228 citation-end-228\"\u003eHe eventually dropped out to pursue art at the École des Beaux-Arts.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e3. \u003cspan class=\"citation-227 citation-end-227\"\u003eHe Had Progressive Vision Loss\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_3db3313ef925d1cd-83\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-226 citation-end-226\"\u003eStarting in his 30s, Degas developed a retinal eye disease that made him extremely sensitive to light.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e This is one reason he preferred to work indoors rather than outside in the bright sun. \u003cspan class=\"citation-225 citation-end-225\"\u003eAs his vision deteriorated throughout his life, his style shifted: he moved away from intricate detail and toward bolder, thicker brushstrokes and broader color schemes.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e4. He Was a Prolific Sculptor (in Secret)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_3db3313ef925d1cd-84\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-224 citation-end-224\"\u003eWhile known primarily for his paintings and pastels, Degas created over 150 sculptures in wax and clay.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e However, he kept most of them hidden in his studio and rarely showed them publicly. \u003cspan class=\"citation-223\"\u003eThe only sculpture he ever exhibited in his lifetime was \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-223\"\u003eThe Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-223 citation-end-223\"\u003e.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e It caused a massive scandal in 1881 because it was \"too real\"—he dressed the wax figure in a real tulle skirt, a bodice, and a ribboned wig, which critics of the time denounced as \"ugly\" and \"repulsive.\" \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e5. He Loved Horses and Dancers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_3db3313ef925d1cd-85\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-222 citation-end-222\"\u003eDegas was fascinated by movement.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-221 citation-end-221\"\u003eHe famously said, \"Nothing in art should look like an accident, even movement.\"\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-220 citation-end-220\"\u003eHe spent years studying the anatomy of racehorses and the grace of ballet dancers.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-219 citation-end-219\"\u003eInterestingly, many historians believe his obsession with the ballet wasn't necessarily about the beauty of the performance, but about capturing the behind-the-scenes tension, repetitive training, and unconventional poses of the dancers.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e6. He Was a Skilled Photographer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_3db3313ef925d1cd-86\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-218 citation-end-218\"\u003eIn his later years (the 1880s and 1890s), Degas developed a serious passion for photography.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e This medium allowed him to explore lighting and composition in new ways, which heavily influenced his later pastels and prints. \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e7. \u003cspan class=\"citation-217 citation-end-217\"\u003eHis Friendship with Mary Cassatt\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_3db3313ef925d1cd-87\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-216 citation-end-216\"\u003eDegas had a long-standing, intense professional friendship with the American Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-215 citation-end-215\"\u003eThey influenced each other’s work significantly, and he helped her navigate the French art scene.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"edgar-degas-dancers-in-pink-31-25-in-x-23-5-in","title":"Edgar Degas - Dancers in Pink (31.25 in x 23.5 in)","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eThe piece is a classic example of \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"34\"\u003eImpressionism\u003c\/b\u003e, a movement Degas helped lead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"6,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Subject:\u003c\/b\u003e Unlike many artists of his time who painted formal performances, Degas was fascinated by the \"behind-the-scenes\" moments. This scene captures ballerinas in a casual, unguarded moment in the wings of the Paris Opéra, adjusting their costumes before going on stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"6,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003ePerspective:\u003c\/b\u003e Notice the high, slightly tilted vantage point. Degas often used \"cropping\"—where figures are cut off at the edges—a technique he borrowed from Japanese woodblock prints and early photography to make the scene feel like a spontaneous snapshot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6,2,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"6,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/b\u003e While this is a print, the original painting is known for its \"impasto\" (thickly applied paint), where Degas used visible, energetic brushstrokes to capture the fluffy, sheer texture of the tutus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular work was historically significant enough to be included in the 1883 \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8\" data-index-in-node=\"84\"\u003ePedestal Fund Art Loan Exhibition\u003c\/b\u003e in New York, which was organized to raise money for the construction of the \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8\" data-index-in-node=\"194\"\u003eStatue of Liberty's pedestal\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LatinArte","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54567264584052,"sku":null,"price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/7963\/9156\/files\/EdgarDegas-Danseusesroses_31.25inx23.5.jpg?v=1777937533"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/7963\/9156\/collections\/edgar.jpg?v=1781925211","url":"https:\/\/latinarte.shop\/collections\/edgar-degas.oembed","provider":"LatinArte","version":"1.0","type":"link"}