Edgar Degas Quotes

A collection of quotes by Edgar Degas.

Edgar Degas was a French Impressionist painter, sculptor, and printmaker born on July 19, 1834, and died on September 27, 1917. He was born into a wealthy banking family in Paris and received a classical education alongside his artistic training. Initially, Degas aspired to be a history painter, but he soon developed an interest in depicting contemporary life, particularly the urban scenes of Paris.

Degas is best known for his artworks depicting ballet dancers, capturing their grace and movement with great precision. He often portrayed various stages of their rehearsals and performances, capturing the fleeting moments with an exceptional eye for detail. Degas explored various mediums, including oil paints, pastels, and even photography.

While he associated with the Impressionist group, Degas considered himself a realist and preferred the term "Independent." He valued classical techniques, and unlike many of his contemporaries, he did not focus solely on capturing the effects of light and color. Degas also excelled in depicting scenes of cafés, racecourses, and working-class women engaged in everyday activities.

Throughout his career, Degas faced criticism for his unconventional compositions and unconventional subject matter. However, his unique style and his ability to convey human emotion through his work have made him one of the most celebrated artists of the 19th century. Today, his paintings and sculptures can be found in major museums around the world, attesting to his lasting influence on the art world.