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Self-portrait (1863)

Born in Paris, France Lived from 1834 to 1917Grew up in a wealthy family and often went to art museums and galleries in Paris (the center of the art world)

Degas…Copied old master paintersBegan his art career with carefully drawn portraitsWas friends with the Impressionist painters of his time but developed his own style

The Bellelli Family (1858-1867)

Two Sisters (1881)by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Carriage at the Races (1869)

Race Horses (1866-1868)

Horses were one of Degas’ favorite subjects.

Degas (like the Impressionists) broke with tradition by painting scenes that appeared unplanned and like a spontaneous snapshot.

Dance Class (1871)

Dance Class (1874)

Another of Degas’ favorite subjects was the ballet.Degas’ ballet paintings have the look of a natural and unposed snapshot. This reflects Degas’ interest in photography. Ballet Rehearsal on the Set (1874)

Ballet Rehearsal (1875)

The Rehearsal (1873-1878)

Rehearsal of a Ballet on Stage

Examine the following:

Off-center compositions & empty areas of floor space

Artificial light

The “frozen” casual actions of the ballerinas

L’etoile (1878)by Edgar Degas

The Dancer (1974)by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Degas was very interested in depicting movement or moments of arrested motion.Compare and contrast the Degas’ dancer with Renoir’s dancer.

Breaking-In(1860’s)

Degas…

made sketches of his subject matter and also made use of photographs.

preferred to work in his studio and not outdoors as his Impressionist friends did.

studied the movement of his subjects and painted many images from memory.

Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer (1879-1881)

Horse in Full Gallop (1870’s-1880’s)

Horse at Trough (1860-1868)

With failing eyesight, Degas turned to a medium with which he could use his sense of touch. He sculpted wax figures of horses and dancers. After his death, these figures were cast in bronze.

Race Horses (1885-1888)

Race Horses (1883-1885)

With Degas’ failing eyesight, he switched from using oils to pastels. He was the first artist to exhibit pastel drawings as finished works.

What would you hear, see, smell, and feel if you could jump “inside” these pastel drawings?

What do you notice about the lines in the drawings?

How does Degas’ create the effect of movement in these drawings?

Examine Degas’ use of color.

What do you like or dislike about the artwork of Degas?