Four Dancers

Edgar Degas

Four Dancers
1899
National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
Photographed by Team C004570

"If it weren't so difficult, it wouldn't be fun."
-Edgar Degas on painting

 Degas was born into a rich family on July 19, 1834, in Paris. He began his studies in art under Jean-August- Dominique Ingres, a master of classical art, at the École des Beaux-Arts. His initial intention was to paint realistically, until the impressionist movement influenced him. It was for that reason that he gave up his academic career in the 1860's.

His style, especially the vibrant colors used in his paintings, is similar to that of the Impressionists. He was not a member that group but often did exhibition with them. Degas was known to be contemptuous of women, yet they were the dominant subject of his paintings. He was attracted by theatrical subjects, about half of his paintings were of ballerinas, many of which feature women in natural poses. The more surprising of his images were his female nudes. Up to this time, most well known artists had painted nudes that were considered beautiful in their time. Degas's nudes were of overweight women in awkward positions.

He was a master of pastels, as his eyesight began to fade, he used the medium more frequently. He did a lot of sculpture in the 1880's. He sculpted ballerinas, and dressed them up in real clothing which gave it a more realistic look.

He died September 27, 1917, being generally unknown to the public.

©2000 Team C004570