Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas was a French artist known for his paintings, sculptures, and prints of ballet dancers, racehorses, and other scenes of everyday life in 19th-century Paris. He was born on July 19, 1834, in Paris, France, and was the oldest of five children.

Degas studied art at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, but he did not conform to the traditional standards of the academy and instead sought inspiration from contemporary painters such as Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and Eugène Delacroix. He also traveled to Italy to study the art of the Renaissance masters.

In the early 1860s, Degas began to exhibit his work at the Salon de Paris, the annual art exhibition held by the French Academy of Fine Arts. He became associated with the group of artists known as the Impressionists, who were known for their loose brushwork and depictions of modern life.

Throughout his career, Degas continued to experiment with different mediums, including pastels, charcoal, and sculpture. He was also known for his portraits of women, including his famous series of ballet dancers.

Degas died on September 27, 1917, at the age of 83 in Paris. He is remembered as one of the leading figures of the Impressionist movement and his work continues to be exhibited and celebrated worldwide.