Edgar Degas

Definition

Edgar Degas was a French artist known for his masterful paintings, sculptures, and drawings that captured the movement and essence of human figures, particularly dancers. His innovative use of color and composition in various painting mediums, especially pastels and oils, showcased his ability to convey emotion and dynamism, influencing the Impressionist movement and modern art as a whole.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Degas preferred to work in pastels, as they allowed him to achieve a softness and vibrancy that was unique compared to traditional oil paints.
2. He often painted scenes of ballet dancers, capturing their movements and emotions with a keen eye for detail and composition.
3. Degas was known for experimenting with unconventional viewpoints and angles, often depicting his subjects from above or below, adding depth to his work.
4. His background in drawing influenced his painting technique, as he believed that mastering drawing was essential for creating compelling paintings.
5. While associated with the Impressionists, Degas often rejected the label, preferring to see himself as a realist who focused on capturing human experience.

Review Questions

• How did Edgar Degas' use of color in pastels differ from his oil paintings, and what impact did this have on his overall artistic style?
  • Edgar Degas' use of color in pastels allowed him to create softer transitions and a luminosity that oil paints sometimes struggled to achieve. This medium let him experiment with layering colors to evoke emotion and movement effectively. While his oil paintings displayed more structure, the vibrancy of pastels contributed significantly to the dynamic feel of his works, particularly in depicting dancers.
• Discuss how Degas' choice of subject matter reflected the cultural context of his time, especially in relation to ballet.
  • Degas' focus on ballet dancers reflected the growing popularity of ballet during the late 19th century in France. This era saw an increasing fascination with performance arts among the bourgeoisie. By capturing both the grace and struggles of dancers, Degas highlighted the dual nature of this art form—its beauty and discipline—while providing insight into the social dynamics of Parisian society at that time.
• Evaluate the ways in which Edgar Degas' innovative techniques influenced modern art movements beyond Impressionism.
  • Edgar Degas' innovative techniques, such as his unconventional perspectives and mastery of movement, laid groundwork that would influence later modern art movements. His ability to blend realism with impressionistic elements inspired artists to explore new ways of depicting reality. The dynamic compositions and emotional depth found in Degas’ works encouraged subsequent generations to break away from traditional constraints, leading to explorations in abstraction and expressionism that characterized modern art.

Related terms

Impressionism: An art movement characterized by loose brushwork, vibrant colors, and an emphasis on capturing light and movement in everyday scenes.

Pastel: A painting medium consisting of powdered pigments mixed with a binder, known for its soft texture and vibrant colors, often used by Degas.

Ballet: A highly technical form of dance that Degas frequently depicted, showcasing both the grace and hard work of dancers in his artwork.