Edgar Degas (1834-1917) is one of the most influential painters of French Impressionism. Known for his innovative approach to movement and light, he revolutionized the depiction of dance and modern life. Among his most famous works, The Dance Class (1874), Green Dancer, The Rehearsal And Star Ballet offer a unique insight into his talent and his sharp perspective on the world of entertainment.
The beginnings and training of Degas
Born in Paris on July 19, 1834, Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas grew up in a cultured bourgeois family. His father, Auguste de Gas, was a banker and art lover, and his mother, Célestine Musson, came from a Creole family from New Orleans. Encouraged by his father, Edgar Degas developed a taste for drawing and painting at an early age.
After studying at Lycée Louis-le-Grand, he entered the École des Beaux-Arts in 1855 where he studied under the direction of Louis Lamothe, a pupil of Ingres. The latter instilled in him a deep respect for classical tradition and academic techniques. During this period, Degas traveled to Italy, where he spent several years copying the works of the great masters of the Renaissance, such as Raphael and Michelangelo. This experience had a lasting influence on his style and technique.
An artist in search of movement and light
In the 1860s, Degas gradually abandoned historical painting to turn to contemporary subjects. He frequented the artistic and intellectual circles of Paris and befriended Édouard Manet, who introduced him to modernity and realism. Although associated with the Impressionist movement, Degas preferred to define himself as a realist, seeking to capture modern life with attention to detail and a methodical approach.
Unlike other Impressionists who painted outdoors, Degas preferred to work in the studio, using sketches and photographs as the basis for his compositions. He was particularly interested in movement and gesture, especially in dance scenes, where he brilliantly captured the energy and tension of the ballerinas. His style is distinguished by original framing inspired by Japanese prints and photography. He played with perspectives, unexpected cropping, and contrasts of light to give an impression of spontaneity and life to his works.
The great works of Degas and their significance
The Dance Class (1873)
This iconic work depicts a group of dancers in the middle of training under the watchful eye of their ballet master, Jules Perrot. Degas excels in capturing the naturalness and concentration of the young girls, blending grace and effort.
The soft tones and dim lighting create an intimate atmosphere that contrasts with the strict discipline imposed on the dancers. This painting reflects not only Degas's fascination with the world of ballet but also his interest in depicting spontaneous gestures and attitudes.
Green Dancer
Green Dancer is a striking example of Degas's unique style. The artist uses bright colors and pastels to give an impression of fluidity and movement. The ballerina is captured in a moment of suspended grace, while the blurred background accentuates the depth and immerses the viewer in the scene.
With this work, Degas demonstrates his ability to transcend the simple portrait to offer an almost dreamlike vision of dance, where emotion and dynamics take precedence over precise anatomical details.
The Rehearsal of a Ballet
In this rehearsal scene, Degas immerses us in the intimacy of the ballet's backstage. The dancers, tired and absorbed, contrast with the idealized image of the performance. The artist uses plays of light and composition to accentuate the realism and complexity of the scene.
The Rehearsal highlights the demanding and sometimes exhausting aspect of a ballerina's life. Degas thus manages to capture not only the beauty of ballet but also its rigor and discipline.
Star Ballet
With Star Ballet, Degas celebrates the figure of the star dancer, enhancing her elegance and charisma on stage. The treatment of colors and the lighting of the main subject give the work a dramatic intensity.
This painting illustrates Degas's fascination with how light sculpts shapes and highlights movements. It also emphasizes his interest in plays of transparency and texture effects achieved through the use of pastel.
A life marked by evolution and solitude
As he grows older, Degas becomes increasingly reclusive and perfectionist. He devotes himself entirely to his art, experimenting with pastels and sculpture. He gradually distances himself from the Impressionist circle and focuses on his own artistic research.
Suffering from visual impairments since the 1880s, he nevertheless continued to work with passion, developing new techniques to adapt to the loss of his sight. This ordeal pushed him to further explore textures and contrasts, giving rise to some of his most daring works.
His demanding and sometimes difficult personality leads him to gradually isolate himself. He spends the last years of his life in Paris, surrounded by his works, but cut off from many friends. Edgar Degas dies on September 27, 1917, at the age of 83, leaving behind a vast artistic legacy.
A lasting influence on the history of art
Edgar Degas died in 1917, leaving behind a monumental body of work that continues to inspire artists around the world. His work on movement, light, and composition marked a turning point in modern art.
Today, his paintings and pastels are exhibited in the greatest museums, and his depictions of ballet remain icons of Impressionist painting. Thanks to his unique perspective, Degas was able to immortalize not only the grace of the dancers but also the very essence of their art and dedication.