What kind of art did Edgar Degas do?

Edgar Degas was a French artist famous for his paintings, but also for his sculptures, drawings, and prints. Identified with the subject of dance, more than half of his works include ballerinas and dancers. Degas is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism. However, he rejected the term, and preferred to be called a realist.

How old was degas when he painted the Little Dancer?

Unlike pastel drawings and paintings on canvas, Degas did not produce a comprehensive collection of ballerina-inspired sculptures. However, the one that he did create— Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen— has become one of his most famous dancer depictions.

Where did Edgar Degas go to watch ballet?

‘The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage’ (c. 1784) (Photo via Met Museum Public Domain) With a sketchbook in hand, Degas regularly visited the Palais Garnier, Paris’ premier opera house, to observe ballet classes and watch rehearsals.

Why was the orchestra of the opera important to Edgar Degas?

The theme of the dance was important in Degas’s work. The Orchestra of the Opera is the first of his depictions of the Opera. Many experts say that it marks the final break with his history paintings of the early 1860s. And even at the Opera, he managed to capture movement, as you can see the musicians are playing.

Edgar Degas (US: /deɪˈɡɑː/ or UK: /ˈdeɪɡɑː/; born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas, French: [ilɛːʁ ʒɛʁmɛ̃ ɛdɡaʁ də ɡɑ]; 19 July 1834 – 27 September 1917) was a French artist famous for his paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings.

Why did Edgar Degas sell his family home?

Degas was forced to sell the family home and many family paintings in order to cover the debt, and for the first time, had to rely on the income from his paintings for survival. It was in 1874 that he began producing his most successful works.

Where did Edgar Degas go to school at?

In April of that year Degas was admitted to the École des Beaux-Arts. He studied drawing there with Louis Lamothe, under whose guidance he flourished, following the style of Ingres. In July 1856, Degas traveled to Italy, where he would remain for the next three years.

When did Edgar Degas join the National Guard?

In 1870, at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, he enrolled as a member of the National Guard, but his eyesight, which was found defective during rifle training, was troublesome and so he could not serve. Three years later, in 1873, Degas’ father died, revealing a massive amount of business debt held by his brother, Rene.