Edgar Degas
Edgar Degas
Edgar Degaswas a French artist famous for his paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings. He is especially identified with the subject of dance; more than half of his works depict dancers. He is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism, although he rejected the term, preferring to be called a realist. He was a superb draftsman, and particularly masterly in depicting movement, as can be seen in his renditions of dancers, racecourse subjects and female nudes. His portraits are notable...
ProfessionPainter
Date of Birth19 July 1834
CityParis, France
Edgar Degas quotes about
Work a great deal at evening effects, lamplight, candlelight, etc. The intriguing thing is not to show the source of the light but the effect of the lighting.
I should like to be famous and unknown.
Art critic! Is that a profession? When I think we are stupid enough, we painters, to solicit those people's compliments and to put ourselves into their hands! What shame! Should we even accept that they talk about our work?
C'est vrai. Voilá quelqu'un qui sent comme moi. (It is true. There is someone who feels as I do).
For those who don't know what they are doing, painting is easy. For those who do know what they are doing, painting is difficult.
A painting is above all a product of the artist's imagination, it must never be a copy. If, at a later stage, he wants to add two or three touches from nature, of course it doesn't spoil anything.
Make portraits of people in typical, familiar poses, being sure above all to give their faces the same kind of expression as their bodies.
Only two of my personalities are schizophrenic, but one of them is paranoid and the other one is out to get him. Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things.
the moods of sadness that come over anyone who takes up art... these dismal moods have very little compensation.
I frequently lock myself in my studio. I do not often see the people I love, and in the end I shall suffer for it... painting is one's private life.
It seems to me that today if the artist wishes to be serious... he must once more sink himself in solitude.
Do portraits of people in familiar and typical attitudes, above all give to their face the same choice of expression that one gives to their body.
The fascinating thing, is not to show the source of light, but the effect of light.
A man is an artist only at certain moments, by an effort of will. Objects have the same appearance for everybody.