Edgar Degas | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : March 23, 2025

Who is Edgar Degas?

Edgar Degas, born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar de Gas in Paris on July 19, 1834, was a pivotal figure in the realm of Impressionism, renowned for his unique blend of traditional techniques and modern subject matter. Educated at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he initially carved his niche as a portraitist, capturing the ephemeral beauty of ballet dancers and everyday scenes with an exquisite attention to detail. His ability to convey movement and emotion through unconventional perspectives set him apart from his contemporaries, earning him a respected place among avant-garde artists including Manet and Monet.

Throughout his career, Degas was characterized by a meticulous approach to art-making, often emphasizing the careful planning involved in his works. Notably recognized for his portrayals of women—particularly in roles like dancers and laundresses—Degas captured the complexity of modern life and its evolving social dynamics. His legacy is underscored by his influence on future generations of artists, including Picasso, as well as his role in shaping the Impressionist movement, despite his personal views later alienating some followers. Degas passed away in Paris on September 27, 1917, leaving behind a body of work that remains celebrated for its technical mastery and deep exploration of human experience.

Early Life and Education

Edgar Degas was born on July 19, 1834, in Paris, France, as Hilaire-Germain-Edgar de Gas. He hailed from a middle-class family with illusions of nobility; his father, Auguste, was a banker, while his mother, Celestine, was an American from New Orleans. Growing up in a musically-inclined household, Degas was surrounded by art and culture, which nurtured his talents. His formative years were spent at the esteemed Lycée Louis-le-Grand, a rigorous secondary school where he received a classical education. Degas displayed notable artistic abilities from an early age, supported by his father's passion for art.

Degas’s artistic journey began when he was granted permission at age 18 to copy works at the Louvre, an experience common for aspiring artists of the time. Initially, he studied the methods of masters like Raphael, before continuing his education at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. However, after just a year, he left the academy to travel through Italy for three years, focusing on replicating classical works by Renaissance luminaries such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. These experiences solidified his admiration for classical techniques, which he later integrated into his unique style, blending traditional and Impressionistic influences.

Notable Career Start: Emergence of Impressionists

Edgar Degas's artistic journey took a significant turn in the early 1870s as he began aligning himself with a group of avant-garde painters who were pushing the boundaries of traditional art. In 1874, alongside fellow artists such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Degas co-founded the Société Anonyme des Artistes, an organization dedicated to presenting exhibitions free from the constraints of the conservative Salon. This collaboration ultimately led to the inaugural Impressionist exhibition, where Degas showcased modern portraits that vividly depicted contemporary scenes, particularly focusing on women — from milliners to ballet dancers — and using innovative perspectives that deviated from the norm.

As an active participant in the first eight Impressionist exhibitions, Degas refined his unique style by exploring themes of movement and intimacy, particularly through his passionate depiction of dancers. Notable works such as "The Dancing Class" and "Dancers Practicing at the Bar" highlight his ability to capture the duality of a dancer’s experience, revealing both their grace on stage and their vulnerable moments behind the scenes. While he preferred to consider himself a realist rather than an Impressionist, Degas's influence on the movement remains undeniable, marking him as one of its most critical figures and helping to shape the trajectory of modern art.

Career Success and Achievements: Major Works

Edgar Degas emerged as one of the leading figures in the Impressionist movement, despite preferring the term "realist" to describe his art. His innovative approach combined traditional techniques with modern themes, focusing predominantly on the contemporary lives of women, particularly dancers. Among his most notable works are "The Dancing Class" (1871) and "The Dance Class" (1874), which showcase his mastery in portraying movement and expression. Degas used unique perspectives and angles to capture the vibrant world of ballet, highlighting the contrast between the dancers' glamour on stage and their more humble existence behind the scenes.

In addition to his paintings, Degas made significant contributions to sculpture, with "The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer" (1880) being one of his most celebrated pieces. This sculpture stirred up much debate; it was lauded for its emotional depth and technical brilliance while simultaneously criticized for its perceived cruelty. Throughout the 1880s, Degas continued to explore the complexities of female identity in his work. His series of paintings depicting women bathing, notably exhibited in 1886, further cemented his reputation as a bold innovator within the art community, capable of eliciting strong reactions and provoking discussions around beauty and realism.

Later Years and Legacy

Edgar Degas lived into the 20th century, continuing to influence the art world while painting less frequently. Known for his meticulous nature, Degas remained an avid promoter of his work and a dedicated art collector. His personal life, marked by close friendships with women like American painter Mary Cassatt, reflected his complexity as an artist. Although he never married, his collaborations and interactions with fellow artists enriched his creative narrative, showcasing the connections he fostered throughout his life.

Despite his significant contributions to Impressionism, Degas's legacy has drawn mixed reactions in the years following his death. His depictions of women, often critiqued for their sexualized nature, have led some modern critics to view him with scrutiny. Furthermore, his staunch anti-Semitism during the Dreyfus Affair has alienated him from parts of the contemporary art discourse. Nonetheless, Degas's technical mastery and the evocative beauty of his works secure his position as a pivotal figure in the evolution of modern art. His dedication to refinement and painstaking craftsmanship remains a hallmark of his enduring legacy.

Personal Life: Never Married

Edgar Degas, famed for his remarkable contributions to Impressionism, notably led a private and solitary life, never choosing to marry. His personal relationships, while meaningful, remained largely platonic. Among his close companions was American painter Mary Cassatt, with whom Degas shared a deep friendship that fostered artistic collaboration and exchange of ideas. Despite his friendships, particularly with women, Degas maintained an emotional distance, exemplifying his inclination towards solitude which often mirrored the themes of isolation in his art.

Degas’s lack of marriage can also be viewed as a reflection of his intense dedication to his craft. His obsession with perfection and meticulous planning in his works took precedence over personal relationships. Degas was known to be somewhat of a recluse, immersing himself in his art and becoming an avid art collector instead. While many of his contemporaries built families, Degas's singular focus on his artistic ambitions left him without a spouse or children, reinforcing his identity as a quintessential artist committed to his vision.

Net Worth and Earning: Painter Earnings

Edgar Degas, one of the most revered painters of the Impressionist movement, was also known for his significant financial acumen in the art world. Born into a relatively affluent family in Paris, Degas had access to resources that enabled him to pursue his passion for art without the constraints of monetary worry. His connections in both French society and the art community allowed him to sell his works at respectable prices, though he often struggled with the conventional art establishment. Despite facing challenges in achieving acceptance for his avant-garde style, Degas's unique talent and perspective on modern life eventually led to substantial earnings from his art.

Throughout his career, Degas's paintings, sculptures, and drawings generated income through exhibitions and private sales. His early works, although often met with indifference, gradually gained popularity, securing him a solid place within the Impressionist circle. By the time of his later exhibitions, he was able to command higher prices for his works. Moreover, Degas was an astute art collector himself, which contributed further to his financial legacy. His dedicated focus on capturing the nuances of ballet dancers, women in everyday life, and modern portrayals enabled him to promote his artwork effectively while ensuring a stable financial standing throughout his lifetime.