Edgar Degas was a French artist and one of the founders of the impressionist movement. Born in Paris on the 19th of July 1834, he attended the Lycee Louis-le-Grand public school, before embarking on a career as a lawyer. In 1855 Degas gave up his law studies and enrolled at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts (school of fine arts) where he studied drawing. After his artistic education Degas travelled to Italy where he painted copies of works by the great Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian, . Degas artistic career began well and he had his first exhibition in 1865. However,... Show more

Edgar Degas was a French artist and one of the founders of the impressionist movement. Born in Paris on the 19th of July 1834, he attended the Lycee Louis-le-Grand public school, before embarking on a career as a lawyer. In 1855 Degas gave up his law studies and enrolled at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts (school of fine arts) where he studied drawing. After his artistic education Degas travelled to Italy where he painted copies of works by the great Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian, .

Degas artistic career began well and he had his first exhibition in 1865. However, the Franco-Prussian War broke out in 1870 and Degas joined the National Guard leaving him with him little time to paint.

After the war Degas produced some of his greatest works when he and some friends organised their own exhibitions. This group of artists was to become known as the Impressionists.

Later in his career Degas took up photography, taking pictures of nudes and dancers. He also photographed his friends including a portrait of fellow artist Renoir.

Degas was still working in his 70s but his eyesight had begun to fade. He never married and died in Paris on September 27th 1917, at the age of 83.

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French Painters: Impressionist Edgar Degas

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10 Questions

1. Begun in 1858, The Bellelli Family is one of the earliest works Degas began - although it was not finished until sometime later. How many years did the painting take to complete?

9 years5 years11 years7 years

2. This 1877 piece, Fin d'Arabesque is of a famous ballerina of the 1870s and 1880s who Degas painted several times. What was her name?

Rosita MauriMarie TaglioniFanny ElsslerGenevieve Gosselin,

3. A pastel on paper, rather than his more usual oil on canvas, what is the title of this picture created around 1881 as a part of Degas' ballerina series?

AchingCryingSittingWaiting

4. A similar theme to the previous painting, the 1884 work Before the Race shows us a group of horses and riders preparing for their big moment. Horses were a popular theme with Degas - even more so than ballerinas. How many works did Degas create which featured horses as the main subject?

221 pieces287 pieces332 pieces254 pieces

5. This painting, created around 1868, is of Degas' friend and fellow artist, together with his wife. What is the subject's name?

Édouard ManetClaude MonetVincent Van GoghHenri Matisse

6. Also known as A sketch of a French Café or Figures at Café, this painting is also known by the name of which alcoholic drink?

CointreauAbsintheMartiniCognac

7. Painted in France around 1876, this is a portrait of Degas' fellow artist Mary Cassatt. What nationality was she?

She was AmericanShe was DutchShe was CanadianShe was British

8. Painted around 1860, this piece depicts youths from an ancient Greek state enjoying physical activity. What is its name?

Young Macedonians LeapingYoung Thebans PlayingYoung Spartans ExercisingYoung Athenians Frolicking

9. Although primarily a painter and drawer, Degas was also a sculptor. This piece was created in 1881 and shows a dancer who is how old?

10 years old14 years old16 years old12 years old

10. Painted in 1879, Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando can be found in the collection of which London gallery, where it has been since 1950?

The Tate ModernThe British MuseumThe National GalleryThe Victoria and Albert Museum