Edgar Degas – RedDotBlog

Edgar Degas was a French artist known for his paintings of ballet dancers and other scenes from everyday life. He was born in 1834 into a wealthy family, but his father died when he was only 13. Degas studied art at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, but he was not a successful student. However, he continued to paint and develop his own unique style.

Degas first gained public attention for his paintings of the French opera house, the Opera. He continued to paint scenes of everyday life, often featuring women and children. He also became known for his pastel drawings. In his later years, Degas suffered from failing eyesight and died in 1917.

Critics have praised Degas for his ability to capture the beauty and grace of his subjects, as well as the everyday details of their lives. His work has been described as both poetic and realistic.

Degas said, “Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do.”

Dancers in Blue (Oil ca. 1895)
Dancers at the Barre (Pastel ca. 1900)
Landscape with a Path Leading to a Copse of Trees (pastel over a monotype ca 1892

What does Degas’ art inspire when you see it? What’s your favorite Degas work? Was Degas right when he said “painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do”?

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