Let’s explore our 3rd Impressionist artist …

Edgar Degas “Copying what we see is all very well, but it is much better to draw what we remember.”

Facts about Degas – early life Background: Born to a wealthy family in Paris, where he lived most of his life. As a boy, he took art classes and went to museums. Also as a boy, Degas began painting people and animals in motion. He studied painting at the School of Fine Arts.

Facts about Degas - challenges His father did not want him to become an artist. He sent Degas to law school instead hoping he would become a lawyer. At first, people did not like Degas’ paintings and few of them sold. He started his career as a painter very poor. When he got older, Degas lost his eyesight and started making sculptures and bright pastels.

Facts about Degas - accomplishments He became famous painting something he loved: dancing, particularly the ballet and ballerinas. Degas’ style of painting things in motion like dancers practicing or animals running was unique to his time. Today, he is known as a leader of Impressionism because he helped organize art shows for all Impressionist artists.

Let’s Analyze … Who are these girls? What are they doing? Look at the dancers who are center stage. How would you describe the way they are moving? Notice the man in the middle of the girls. Who could he be? What is he doing with his hands?

Let’s Analyze … Look at the girls around him. What is each one doing? How do you suppose they feel? Notice the one just to his left. Why is her mouth open? Travel to the back of the stage. Who might those two men be?

Let’s Analyze … The name of the painting is The Rehearsal Onstage. What in the picture tells us the dancers are practicing and it is not the actual performance?

Let’s compare our 3 artists …