Art · Literature · 1834–1917
Born: 19 July 1834 · Died: 27 September 1917 · Age at death: 83
Edgar Degas died aged 83. He was born on 19 July 1834 and died on 27 September 1917.
French Impressionist painter and sculptor famous for his ballet dancers and the sculpture Little Dancer Aged Fourteen
Did you know?Although primarily known for his paintings and pastels, he was also a prolific sculptor who worked extensively in wax.
Edgar Degas painted dancers as no one else had. Born into a wealthy Paris family, he trained in the classical tradition. He helped organise the Impressionist exhibitions, though he disliked the label. He was fascinated by movement: ballet dancers, racehorses, laundresses. He used unusual angles and cropping, like photographs. He also made sculpture, including The Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. His eyesight failed in later life.
Edgar Degas (UK:, US:; born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas, French:; 19 July 1834 – 27 September 1917) was a French Impressionist artist famous for his pastel drawings and oil paintings. Degas also produced wax sculptures, prints, and drawings.
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Profile
French artist, 1834–1917
Edgar Degas was born in Paris on 19 July 1834.
He trained at the École des Beaux-Arts.
He showed at the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874.
He made The Little Dancer around 1881.
Career highlights
Did you know?He visited his mother's family in New Orleans in 1872.
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