Degas - Art History

Who is Degas 

Edgar Degas (1834-1917) was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker who is considered one of the most influential artists of the Impressionist movement. His work focused on capturing the essence of modern life in late 19th-century Paris, with a particular emphasis on the ballet and the female form. In this blog post, we will explore the influences that shaped Degas' art and contributed to his unique style.

Classical Art 

Degas was deeply influenced by the art of the classical world, particularly the sculptures of ancient Greece and Rome. He admired the way that classical artists were able to capture the beauty and movement of the human form, and this became a key element of his own work. Degas' early drawings were often copies of classical statues, and he was known to have a large collection of plaster casts of ancient sculptures in his studio. This classical influence is evident in his ballet paintings, which often depict the dancers in poses reminiscent of classical sculptures.

Realism

In the mid-19th century, a new style of art emerged that emphasized the realistic depiction of everyday life. Known as realism, this movement rejected the idealized subjects and styles of academic art in favor of depicting the world as it actually was. Degas was heavily influenced by the realist movement, particularly the work of Gustave Courbet. Like the realists, Degas sought to capture the reality of modern life in his art, depicting scenes from the Parisian streets, cafes, and dance halls.

Photography

Degas was also influenced by the advent of photography, which was becoming increasingly popular in the late 19th century. Photography allowed artists to capture realistic images of people and scenes more easily than ever before, and Degas began to experiment with photography himself. He used photography as a tool for studying movement and composition, taking photographs of his ballet dancers and using them as references for his paintings. This photographic influence is evident in Degas' cropped compositions and unconventional viewpoints.

Japanese Art

Like many artists of his time, Degas was fascinated by Japanese art, which had recently been introduced to Europe. He was particularly drawn to the use of flat colors and decorative patterns in Japanese prints and incorporated these elements into his own work. This can be seen in his pastel drawings of dancers, which often feature bold, flat areas of color and simplified patterns.

In conclusion, Degas was influenced by a wide range of artistic traditions, from classical sculpture to Japanese prints. His unique style, which combined elements of realism, classical art, photography, and Japanese art, helped to define the Impressionist movement and has continued to inspire artists to this day.