Edgar DegasEdgar Degas

Edgar DegasEdgar Degas ;born ;born Hilaire-Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De GasGermain-Edgar De Gas, , 1834–1917), was a French 1834–1917), was a French artist famous for his work in artist famous for his work in painting, sculpture, painting, sculpture, printmakingprintmaking and drawing. He and drawing. He is regarded as one of the is regarded as one of the founders of founders of ImpressionismImpressionism although he rejected the although he rejected the term, and preferred to be term, and preferred to be called a called a realist.realist. A superb A superb draftsmandraftsman, he is especially , he is especially identified with the subject of identified with the subject of the dance, and over half of the dance, and over half of his works depict dancers. his works depict dancers. These display his mastery in These display his mastery in the depiction of movement, the depiction of movement, as do his racecourse as do his racecourse subjects and female subjects and female nudesnudes. . His His portraitsportraits are notable for are notable for their psychological their psychological complexity and depiction of complexity and depiction of human isolationhuman isolation..

Early in his career, he wanted to be a Early in his career, he wanted to be a history painterhistory painter, a calling for , a calling for which he was well prepared by his rigorous academic training and which he was well prepared by his rigorous academic training and close study of classic art. In his early thirties, he changed course, close study of classic art. In his early thirties, he changed course, and by bringing the traditional methods of a history painter to and by bringing the traditional methods of a history painter to bear on contemporary subject matter, he became a classical bear on contemporary subject matter, he became a classical painter of modern life.painter of modern life.

Early LifeEarly Life Degas was born in Paris, France, the eldest of five children of Degas was born in Paris, France, the eldest of five children of

Célestine Musson De Gas, a Célestine Musson De Gas, a CreoleCreole from New Orleans, and from New Orleans, and Augustin De Gas, a banker. The family was moderately wealthy. Augustin De Gas, a banker. The family was moderately wealthy. His mother died when Degas was thirteen, after which his father His mother died when Degas was thirteen, after which his father and grandfather were the main influences on his early life. At age and grandfather were the main influences on his early life. At age eleven, Degas (in adulthood he abandoned the more pretentious eleven, Degas (in adulthood he abandoned the more pretentious spelling of the family namespelling of the family name)) began his schooling with enrollment began his schooling with enrollment in the in the LyceeLycee Louis-le-Grand Louis-le-Grand, graduating in 1853 with a , graduating in 1853 with a baccalauréatbaccalauréat in literature. in literature.

Artistic CareerArtistic Career Upon his return to France in 1859, Degas moved into a Paris studio Upon his return to France in 1859, Degas moved into a Paris studio

large enough to permit him to begin painting large enough to permit him to begin painting The Bellelli FamilyThe Bellelli Family——an imposing canvas he intended for exhibition in the an imposing canvas he intended for exhibition in the SalonSalon, , although it remained unfinished until 1867. He also began work on although it remained unfinished until 1867. He also began work on several several History paintingsHistory paintings: : Alexander and BucephalusAlexander and Bucephalus and and The The Daughter of JephthahDaughter of Jephthah in 1859–60; in 1859–60; Sémiramis Building BabylonSémiramis Building Babylon in in 1860; and 1860; and Young SpartansYoung Spartans around 1860 around 1860.. In 1861, Degas visited his In 1861, Degas visited his childhood friend Paul Valpinçon inchildhood friend Paul Valpinçon in Normandy Normandy, and made the , and made the earliest of his many studies of horses. He exhibited at the Salon for earliest of his many studies of horses. He exhibited at the Salon for the first time in 1865, when the jury accepted his painting the first time in 1865, when the jury accepted his painting Scene of Scene of War in the Middle AgesWar in the Middle Ages, which attracted little attention, which attracted little attention.. Although Although he exhibited annually in the Salon during the next five years, he he exhibited annually in the Salon during the next five years, he submitted no more history paintings, and his submitted no more history paintings, and his Steeplechase—The Steeplechase—The Fallen JockeyFallen Jockey (Salon of 1866) signaled his growing commitment to (Salon of 1866) signaled his growing commitment to contemporary subject matter. The change in his art was influenced contemporary subject matter. The change in his art was influenced primarily by the example of primarily by the example of EdouardEdouard ManetManet, whom Degas had met , whom Degas had met in 1864 (while both were copying the same in 1864 (while both were copying the same VelazquesVelazques portrait in portrait in the Louvre, according to a story that may be apocryphalthe Louvre, according to a story that may be apocryphal).).

ИзготвилИзготвил::Теодор ГеоргиевТеодор Георгиев