Our 2026 Art History 101 blog takes us on a visual time travel. Picture images of dancers stretching, horses racing, people at cafés, and a woman brushing her hair.

At first glance, Edgar Degas might seem like the ultimate Impressionist. But here’s the fun part: Degas didn’t really consider himself one.

Born in Paris in 1834 into a wealthy family, Degas received a traditional academic education before deciding that art was his calling. At just 18, he transformed a room in his family’s home into a studio and registered at the Louvre as a copyist, where artists could study and reproduce works by the masters.

His father, however, had other plans. He encouraged Degas to study law. Let’s just say… that career path didn’t stick.

Degas’ formal studies weren’t exactly smooth sailing, but he kept pursuing art. In 1855, he met one of his artistic heroes, the great French painter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. Ingres reportedly gave the young artist some advice that Degas would carry with him for the rest of his career:

Soon afterward, Degas was accepted into the École des Beaux-Arts and left his law studies behind for good. He then spent several years traveling through Italy, studying and copying the works of artists such as Michelangelo, Titian, and Raphael.

“Actress in her Room”, 1875-1880

Interestingly, even during these years of studying the Old Masters, Degas had a habit of looking beyond the obvious. Rather than always choosing the heroic central figures, he was often drawn to secondary or background figures – the people who might normally be overlooked.

And that instinct would become an important part of his later work.

In 1864, Degas met Édouard Manet, another artist who would have a major influence on the changing art scene in Paris. According to a famous story, the two crossed paths while painting the same portrait by Spanish master Diego Velázquez at the Louvre. Whether the encounter happened exactly as legend tells it, the friendship between Degas and Manet helped connect Degas to a new generation of artists who were challenging the traditional art world.

Then Degas started looking around at modern Paris.

Rather than focusing on grand historical subjects, he became fascinated by everyday life. Horse races caught his attention in the 1860s, followed by theaters, cafés, and, most famously, the ballet. By the late 1860s, dancers had become one of his favorite subjects.

And Degas wasn’t interested in painting dancers simply standing beautifully onstage.

He painted them rehearsing, stretching, waiting, adjusting their costumes, and catching their breath. Basically, he was interested in everything happening before and after the big performance. Very relatable, right?

Degas also had a knack for making ordinary scenes feel surprisingly modern. He used unusual viewpoints, cropped figures, off-center compositions, and dramatic angles – techniques influenced in part by the relatively new medium of photography. His paintings can almost feel like someone just snapped a picture at exactly the right moment.

Although Degas exhibited with the Impressionists and was an important member of the group, he preferred to think of himself as a Realist or “Independent.” Unlike artists such as Claude Monet, he wasn’t particularly interested in painting landscapes outdoors or capturing sunlight en plein air. He was much more interested in artificial light, interiors, people, movement, and carefully constructed compositions.

He created his famous Little Dancer Aged Fourteen in wax around 1878–1881, using real fabric, ballet slippers, and human hair. It was the only sculpture he exhibited publicly during his lifetime, and it caused quite a stir. After his death, more than 100 additional wax sculptures were discovered in his studio.

“Little Dancer Aged Fourteen”

So, what can we learn from Degas?

Look closer. Degas found extraordinary subjects in ordinary moments. He didn’t need a dramatic story or a heroic pose. A dancer tying her shoe or stretching backstage was enough.

Sometimes the most interesting part of a story isn’t the grand finale. It’s everything happening in between. And that might be one of the best lessons art can teach us: slow down, pay attention, and really look.

Sources

• National Gallery of Art — Edgar Degas
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Edgar Degas: Painting and Drawing
• Musée d’Orsay — Edgar Degas
• National Gallery of Art — Degas Sculpture

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Art History 101 reviews selected artists from periods of history, often coinciding with their birthday month, who continue to influence today’s culture and taste. If you enjoyed this story, please feel free to share it on your favorite social media. Comments appreciated! If there is an artist you would like us to feature, please comment below. I appreciate your support! Want first notice on more upcoming cultural events and tours? Subscribe now!

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