Edgar Degas, born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas in Paris in 1834, was the oldest of five children of Célestine Musson De Gas, a Creole from New Orleans, and Augustin De Gas, a banker. Degas began his schooling at age eleven, enrolling in the Lycée Louis-le-Grand, but after his mother died when he was thirteen, his father and grandfather became the main influences on him for the remainder of his youth.
Upon graduating the Lycée in 1853, at age 18, he registered as a copyist in the Louvre Museum, but his father expected him to go to law school. Degas duly enrolled at the faculty of law of the University of Paris, in November 1853, but applied little effort to his studies. In 1855, Degas met Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, whose advice he never forgot: “Draw lines, young man, and still more lines, both from life and from memory, and you will become a good artist.” In April of that year, Degas was admitted to the École des Beaux-Arts.
Evidence of Degas’ classical education can be seen in his early painting, Young Spartans Exercising (ca. 1860; National Gallery, London), done while he was still in his twenties. After 1865, when the Salon accepted his history painting The Misfortunes of the City of Orléans (Musée d'Orsay, Paris), Degas did not paint Academic subjects again, focusing his attention on scenes of modern life. He began to paint scenes of such urban leisure activities as horse racing and, after about 1870, of café-concert singers and ballet dancers. Degas' interest in ballet dancers intensified in the 1870s, and eventually he produced approximately 1,500 works on the subject. These are not traditional portraits, but studies that address the movement of the human body, exploring the physicality and discipline of the dancers through the use of contorted postures and unexpected vantage points.
Following the opening of trade with Japan in 1854, many French artists, including Degas, were increasingly influenced by Japanese prints. Degas abstracted from these prints their inventive compositions and points of view, particularly in his use of cropping and asymmetry [Dancers Practicing at the Bar (1877); Dancers, Pink and Green (ca. 1890)]. He also observed how sixteenth-century Italian Mannerists similarly framed their subjects, sometimes cutting off part of a figure.
Degas had an interest in a wide range of media, including engraving, monotype, and photography. Before 1880, he generally used oils for his completed works, but after 1875, he began using pastels more frequently, even in finished works such as Portraits at the Stock Exchange (1876). He submitted a suite of nudes, all rendered in pastel, to the final Impressionist exhibition in 1886; among these was Woman Bathing in a Shallow Tub (1885). The figures in these pastels were criticized for their ungainly poses.
By the late 1880s, Degas’s eyesight had begun to fail, perhaps as a result of an injury suffered during his service in defending Paris during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71. After that time he focused almost exclusively on dancers and nudes, increasingly turning to sculpture. Degas continued working as late as 1912, when he was forced to leave the studio in Montmartre in which he had labored for more than twenty years. He died five years later in 1917, at the age of eighty-three.
Find original Edgar Degas drawings, prints, paintings and other art on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Stern Pissarro Gallery)
Mary Cassatt at the Louvre Museum - Original etching (Delteil #29)
By Edgar Degas
Located in Paris, IDF
Edgar Degas Mary Cassatt at the Louvre Original etching, softground, aquatint and drypoint Probably an impression from the cancelled plate edited by Ambroise Vollard c. 1880 Unsign...
Etching, Aquatint
$90,333
Edgard Degas: Horse Clearing an Obstacle (work 48 /certified by Comité Degas)
By Edgar Degas
Located in Gent, VOV
Horse Clearing an Obstacle (work number 48) Bronze with dark brown green patina bearing the stamp of the signature "Degas", Numbered IV/IX and dated 1998 Posthumous lost wax casting as of 1998. Stamp of Valsuani. Signed Degas The work is a sought-after rarity in terms of Degas’ sculptures. This bronze is distinguished by the fact that it is a Valsuani bronze, meaning it faithfully records Degas’ wax version’s as it appeared at the time of its creation. Most Degas' bronzes that are found on the market were cast by Hébrard – these serialized bronzes are surmoulages, or “aftercasts,” that were cast from the modèle bronzes currently in the Norton Simon Museum (Pasadena). Because these Hebrard bronzes...
Bronze
Edgar Degas (1834 – 1917), Bronze cast +« Cheval marchant au pas relevé »
By Edgar Degas
Located in Gent, VOV
« Cheval marchant au pas relevé » (Horse walking at a high pace) Bronze with dark brown patina bearing the stamp of the signature "Degas", numbered IV/IX and dated 1998. Posthumous lost wax casting as of 1998. Stamp of Valsuani. The work is a sought-after rarity in terms of Degas’ sculptures. This bronze is distinguished by the fact that it is a Valsuani bronze, meaning it faithfully records Degas’ wax version’s as it appeared at the time of its creation. Most Degas' bronzes that are found on the market were cast by Hébrard – these serialized bronzes are surmoulages, or “aftercasts,” that were cast from the modèle bronzes currently in the Norton Simon Museum (Pasadena). Because these bronzes are second generation, they are smaller and far less detailed than the current bronze. This example, however, was cast by Valsuani from a plaster that was taken directly from Degas’ waxes, according to scholarship by the art historian Dr. Gregory Hedberg. These plasters were created by Degas’ sculptor friend Albert Bartholomé shortly after Degas completed his wax figurines. Thus, they record the earliest versions of Degas’ wax sculptures, before they were damaged by time or handling, and before Degas himself altered the works. The Hébrard bronzes...
Bronze
Dancer fastening the shoulder strap of her bodice – Edgar Degas, bronze cast by
By Edgar Degas
Located in Gent, VOV
A superb bronze cast of Edgar Degas’ iconic dancer, Danseuse agrafant l’épaulette de son corsage presents a moment of disarming intimacy: a young ballerina absorbed in adjusting the ...
Bronze
$1,500
H 12.75 in W 5.25 in D 4.5 in
Barbedienne Foundry Portrait of a Bearded Man
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Jean-Baptiste Baujault (1828-1899). Portrait of a Bearded Man, ca. 1880's Cast bronze on bronze base. Measures 12.75 x 5.25 x 4.5 inches. Created by the Ferdinand Barbedienne foun...
Bronze
Rève (assise)
Located in Villafranca Di Verona, IT
Numbered and limited to 12 copies ( 8 + 4 P.A) Artwork signed Authenticity: Sold with certificate of Authenticity from the gallery Invoice from the gallery Sculpture: bronze, metal,...
Bronze
$3,978
H 16.15 in W 4.73 in
Pair Bronze Candlesticks Rancoulet Signature 19th Century France Sculpture
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Ernest Rancoulet (Bordeaux 1842 - Bordeaux 1905) Signature on reverse side ‘Rancoulet’ Pair of bronze candlesticks depicting winged cupids ‘Allegory of Autumn and Spring’ Gilt bron...
Bronze
Bronze sculpture of 'Rapunzel' from German fairytale by Carl Payne
By Carl Payne
Located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
A stunning Nude Bronze Sculpture 'Rapunzel' with inspiration taken from the German fairytale. Continuing a successful career in England and Ireland, Carl joined Callaghan Fine Paintings and Works of Art at the beginning of 2004 in order to dedicate his time to create and develop stunning individual contemporary sculpture. Carl is a Staffordshire based sculptor for whom art has played a large part in his academic work taking him through the Burslem School of Art, the Henry Doulton School of Sculpture and then to Stafford College. After qualifying in Figurative Sculpture he launched his career with commission after commission, which has now secured his reputation for fine quality workmanship both in life-size format and smaller decorative pieces. The list of his completed commissioned work is extensive, including many ‘house-hold’ names from the sporting world, commerce and the past. The following are just some of the private and publicly commissioned completed works that form Carl’s prestigious portfolio:- King George 5th and Queen Mary – life size portrait buste commissioned by Cunards Cruise Ships and located in the ballroom of the Queen Mary 2 (QM2) cruise ship. Randolph Turpin – life size and a quarter - commissioned by Warwick and Leamington Spa Council located in Warwick Town Centre, Sir Stanley Matthews – life size and a half - commissioned by the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation located at The Britannia Stadium. The Stadium of Light - life size group of figures – commissioned by Sunderland Football Club...
Bronze
$25,000
H 13 in W 17.52 in
Chez la pythie-harpye. Homme au masque de minotaure et femme au masque de sculpt
By Pablo Picasso
Located in New York, NY
PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) Chez la pythie - harpye. Homme au masque de minotaure et femme au masque de sculpteur, 1934 Aqua[nt and etching on Montval laid paper 13 x 17 1⁄2 inches ; 3...
Etching, Aquatint
$2,000
H 24.75 in W 17.75 in
The Princess in her tower David Hockney Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm
By David Hockney
Located in New York, NY
One of David Hockney’s Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm illustrations, taken from the story of ‘The Little Sea Hare’. This tower was likely inspired by Hockney’s travels throu...
Etching, Aquatint
$2,400
H 9 in W 7.5 in D 3.5 in
Chaim Gross Mid Century Mod Bronze Sculpture Mother and Baby Playing WPA Artist
By Chaim Gross
Located in Surfside, FL
Chaim Gross (American, 1904-1991) Cast bronze sculpture Caring (or Mother and Child) signed Mounted on wooden plinth Featuring a mother raising her child up in superb high relied i...
Bronze
$7,000
H 20.5 in W 8.5 in D 10.5 in
Bronze Portrait Bust of Jonkheer Roelants (Provincial Clerk Netherlands)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Jan Boedts (1904-1973). Hulde ann Jonkheer Roelants, ca. 1935. Bronze cast mounted to stone base measuring 20.5" h, 10.5" d, 8" w. The piece was commissioned by the court of King ...
Bronze
$9,900
H 14 in W 15 in D 11.5 in
"TAKING STOCK" WESTERN G. HARVEY SCULPTURE W/BOOK BRONZE 1986
By G. Harvey
Located in San Antonio, TX
G. Harvey (Gerald Harvey Jones) (1933-2017) San Antonio, Austin, and Fredericksburg Artist Image Size: Overall size: 14" x 15" x 11.50" Medium: Bronze Sculpture Signed & Dated 1986 "...
Bronze
$9,400
H 14 in W 14 in D 12 in
" PROUD AND PROTECTIVE " G. HARVEY BRONZE SCULPTURE HORSES AND COLT
By G. Harvey
Located in San Antonio, TX
G. Harvey (Gerald Harvey Jones) (1933-2017) San Antonio, Austin, and Fredericksburg Artist Image Size: 14 x 14 Medium: Bronze Sculpture 1982 "Proud & Protective" I am the largest G. ...
Bronze
$325,000
H 62 in W 27 in D 22 in
"Ex Nihilo Figure 4", Frederick Hart, Bronze Sculpture, Figurative Man
By Frederick Hart
Located in Dallas, TX
Don't miss this opportunity to own a piece of history! Ex Nihilo Figure 4, a full-scale plaster from the final stone sculpture of Ex Nihilo, commissioned as part of the Creation Scul...
Bronze
"PRAIRIE LEGEND" BISON BUFFALO
Located in San Antonio, TX
Marianne Texas Artist Image Size: 9 1/2 " tall by 12 " across Medium: Bronze "Prairie Legend"
Bronze
Dancer Putting on Her Slipper - Etching
By Edgar Degas
Located in Paris, IDF
Edgar DEGAS (1834-1917) Dancer Putting on Her Slipper (Dancer Tying Her Brodequin) Heliogravure after a pastel by the artist Engraved by J. Chauvet Signed in the plate On vellum, 50...
Etching
Dancer Putting on Her Slipper - Etching
By Edgar Degas
Located in Paris, IDF
Edgar DEGAS (1834-1917) Dancer Putting on Her Slipper (Dancer Tying Her Brodequin) Heliogravure after a pastel by the artist Engraved by J. Chauvet Signed in the plate On vellum, 50...
Etching
Sold
H 19.25 in W 21.25 in D 0.75 in
Edgar Degas Loges d'Actrices Modern Figurative Etching on Paper 1879-80 Framed
By Edgar Degas
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A modern figurative etching on wove paper titled "Loges d'Actrices (Adhémar 31; Delteil 28)" by Edgar Degas. 1879-80, the final (cancelled) state. A lovely composition of women in th...
Paper
Vintage "Dancer" Resin Sculpture by Edgar Degas
By Edgar Degas
Located in San Diego, CA
Attractive vintage "Dancer" resin sculpture by Edgar Degas circa 1980s. This modern reproduction has a great look and is in very good condition; it measures 17.5"W x 4.5"D x 12"H. C...
Resin
Edgar Degas " De Ster " The Star Etching and Aquatint Art, Framed
By Edgar Degas
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
"De Ster" The Star Etching and Aquatint Framed Art, France 1878 A classic piece of artwork by the French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas, titled, De Ser translated to The Star. T...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Danseur Debout
By Edgar Degas
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Like this dancer, Degas‘s pictures of the ballet hover precariously between the magic of the footlights and the realities of life backstage. We watch this performance in close-up, ei...
Etching
Danseur Tournant on Blue
By Edgar Degas
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Like this dancer, Degas‘s pictures of the ballet hover precariously between the magic of the footlights and the realities of life backstage. We watch this performance in close-up, ei...
Etching
Actresses in Their Dressing Rooms
By Edgar Degas
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Actresses in Their Dressing Rooms etching & aquatint, 1879-1880 Unsigned as usual for all canceled plate impressions Reference: Delteil 28, Shapiro 50 vi/vi with the cancelation line...
Aquatint
Sold
H 9.26 in W 8.86 in D 3.55 in
Certified Edgard Degas Bronze of a horse : (Horse walking at a high pace)
By Edgar Degas
Located in Gent, VOV
Cheval marchant au pas relevé is one of the artist’s most elegant and exacting models of a horse. It underscores Degas’s deep understanding of equine anatomy and his ability to render it with lightness and charm. Known for his focus on contemporary subjects, Degas first began depicting horses in the 1860s. As a member of the prestigious Jockey Club in Paris, Degas was a habitué of the racecourses at Deauville and Longchamps, where he could study the beauty of thoroughbred horses at close quarters. Although the artist was not an active participant himself, equestrian sports fascinated Degas throughout his life, as it allowed him to capture the full range of the horse’s movement in a wealth of poses. Bronze with dark brown patina bearing the stamp of the signature "Degas", numbered IV/IX and dated 1998. Posthumous lost wax casting as of 1998. Stamp of Valsuani. The work is a sought-after rarity in terms of Degas’ sculptures. This bronze is distinguished by the fact that it is a Valsuani bronze, meaning it faithfully records Degas’ wax version’s as it appeared at the time of its creation. Most Degas' bronzes that are found on the market were cast by Hébrard – these serialized bronzes are surmoulages, or “aftercasts,” that were cast from the modèle bronzes currently in the Norton Simon Museum (Pasadena). Because these bronzes are second generation, they are smaller and far less detailed than the current bronze. This example, however, was cast by Valsuani from a plaster that was taken directly from Degas’ waxes, according to scholarship by the art historian Dr. Gregory Hedberg. These plasters were created by Degas’ sculptor friend Albert Bartholomé shortly after Degas completed his wax figurines. Thus, they record the earliest versions of Degas’ wax sculptures, before they were damaged by time or handling, and before Degas himself altered the works. The Hébrard bronzes...
Bronze
Bronze Sculpture Female Dancer After Edgar Degas EK 61 Signed
By Edgar Degas
Located in Astoria, NY
Bronze sculpture study of a female dancer mounted on base, after Edgar Degas (1834-1917), signed EK 61, 8" H x 4" L x 3.2" W.
Bronze
Cavalier
By Edgar Degas
Located in New Orleans, LA
Edgar Degas 1834-1917 French Cavalier Stamp signed (lower left); studio stamp (lower right) Charcoal on paper This original charcoal drawing by the great Edgar Degas embodies the...
Paper, Charcoal
Sold
H 14.77 in W 7.09 in
Mary Cassatt at the Louvre - Original etching (Delteil #29)
By Edgar Degas
Located in Paris, IDF
Edgar Degas Mary Cassatt at the Louvre Original etching, softground, aquatint and drypoint Probably an impression from the cancelled plate edited by Ambroise Vollard c. 1880 Unsign...
Etching, Aquatint