Edgar Degas Research Paper

Edgar Degas was born on July 19, 1834, in Paris, France, to Auguste and Celestine Degas. Edgar Degas is a well-known sculptor, painter, and printmaker from the late 19th century. Degas is remembered as one of the founders of impressionism; however, he rejected this title. He saw himself as a realist, portraying things as they were in real life. Degas is most well-known for his ability to portray movement in paintings. ("Biography of Edgar Degas") Edgar Degas was had five younger siblings growing up in Paris. His mother, Celestine, was an amateur opera singer and his father was a banker. At a young age, his father started to host many musical groups’ rehearsals at their house. This was how Edgar came to love the musical world. ("Biography

When he turned 18 Degas was given permission to replicate paintings at the Louvre in Paris. Shortly thereafter he was accepted into the École des Beaux-Arts. After only one year of studying there, he became bored and decided to go off traveling. He then went to Italy and painted and studied there for three years. This is where he learned many academic and classical art techniques. (Biography.com Editors 2017) In 1859, Degas returned to Paris to make a name for himself, however, in 1870 he enlisted in the National Guard. For two years he fought in the Franco-Prussian War. There he was in an accident and injured his eye. When he returned in 1872, he spent a year in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1873, he returned to Paris, France to attend his father’s funeral. There, he and several other painters formed a group, now known as the Impressionists. (Biography.com Editors 2017) Edgar Degas was one of the main ones to organize and found this group. In 1874, they had their first exhibit. Over the next 12 years, Edgar Degas organized eight other exhibits. Even though Degas did not get along with the other painters in the group, he did enjoy the scandal that the exhibits were. This was the beginning of Impressionism. (Biography.com Editors