Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas was a painter for 60 years out of his 83 years of his life. He was born July 19th 1834 in Paris, France. During his early years Edgar did not go by just Edgar Degas, he went by Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas. He was the eldest of three boys and two girls. Degas was named after his two grand fathers who had much influence on him as a child. His father was a very successful banker and his mother was an opera singer from New Orleans, but died when Degas was 13 years old. As A child he was already talented with drawing and painting and his father encouraged these talents. Degas attended a secondary boy's school where he received classical education. After he graduated he went to Italy for three years to paint. He returned to Paris in 1859 and began painting paintings of families. In 1862 Degas met Edouard Manet and decided to return to painting in modern techniques. During 1968 a group of artists that consisted of Degas, Manet, Monet, and Sisley would gather at a café to discuss how artist could engage in the modern world. Their style of painting was impressionism but Degas referred to his work as realist. Many of his paintings included ballet dancers. He continued to paint throughout the years and promoted his work timelessly. Degas did live into the 20th century but did not paint as much. Degas never married but did encounter many women. He passed away in September 1917 at the age of 83. He was recognized as one of the greatest impressionist painters and was known to be a joker and very spontaneous.