Impressionism

19 century

Degas

(1834 - 1917)

Degas

Born paris (1834)

Great Aristocratic family of

bankers, rich and refined

Snob and difficult personality,

quarreling with other members of

the Impressionist group

Education & Influences

1855, Art college

Copied old masters

(1856-59)Italy for

three years, studying

artists

1861,Copyist in the

louvre

The Artist “Ingres”

Photography

(snapshot)

Japanese prints

Influences (Ingres)

(1780- 1867)

French neoclassical

painter

Mostly portraits

Expressive distortions

of form and space

make him important

for modern art

Napolean I on his Imperial throne

(1806)

Influences (Photography)

Technical innovations

were of great interest

to him,particularly

photography

Degas paintings had

the same qualities as a

snapshot

Influences (Japanese prints)

Japanese prints became very popular in france at this time

Most impressionists were influenced by them

Their asymmetrical compositions influenced Degas work

Similarities with Ingres

Ingres Degas

Similarities with photography

Degas

Horse and carriage photo

Simalarities with Japanese Prints

Japanese print“Absinthe” by Degas

How much work did he do?

Absolutly loads! Over degas lifetime he

produced over 2000

pieces of work.

1500 drawings, prints,

pastels and oil

paintings were based

on the theme of Ballet

But! Was he a real Impressionist?

No! not really

Why?

Degas the Impressionist?

He agreed with some of their “rules”, but combined them with some of his own!

He was first and foremost a draughtsman, whereas the impressionists drew very little.

He disliked the formless nature of Impressionists work. His pictures included figures and objects that are clearly defined.

He wasn’t interested in “plein air”, preferring the indoors with its artificial light (Theatre and Ballet)

“Daylight is too easy, what I want is difficult- the atmosphere of lamps or moonlight!”- Degas.

However!

He got involved with the impressionists in1860.

He showed in all their exhibitions. (except 1882)

He was one of the most vigorous organisers of the

impressionist shows during the 1870’s.

Like other Impressionists he was influenced by

Japanese prints.

Degas’s Themes

Ballet dancers

“Dance class at the Opera”(1872) “Dancers” (1878)

Ballet

“The Star” (1878) “Dance Examination” (1880)

Ballet

“Two Dancers”(1890)

“Little Dancer of fourteen years”

(1880; cast 1920)

16 inches.

Female nude bathing

“The Tub” (1886)“Woman bathing in a shallow tub”

(1886)

Women bathing

“Woman after bath”

Horses

“Race horses”

Horses

Women ironing!

Circus theme

“Miss Lala at The Cirque Fernando”, 1879

Degas themes/ subject matter

1. Ballet dancers

2. The female nude bathing

3. Horses

4. Women ironing

5. Circus

6. General people sitting in bars etc.

Technique/ Style

How did he do it?

What did his work look like?

What made it different from someone elses?

Similar to how you have a style of

handwriting, artists have a style of painting

or drawing that distinguishes them from

others!

Degas style and technique

Unexpected layout/

composition

(snapshots)

Influenced by

Japanese prints and

photography

Style and technique

Chalk pastels and oil paint

Style and technique

Degas loved using line to

create form

Style and technique

Degas used light and

colour showing

movement.

He used pure colour

mixed with white (as

light)

Degas used light to

emphasis other actions

in the drama of colour

Style and technique

Degas made realistic

observations of the

world.

Examples of Degas work

1. The Dance Class (1874)

2. Dancers preparing for an Audition (1880)

3. The Tub (1886)

The Dancing Class (1874)

Oil on canvas

Dance master, Jules Perrot,was a renowned dancer and teacher.

Degas did lots of studies of him and his dance class

Dancers in every kind of pose!

The Dance Class (detail)

The dance master

stands in characteristic

pose,standing legs

apart,with a long stick

in his outreached hand

directing young

dancers.

The dance class (colour detail)

Red fan

Green ribbon

Blue ribbon

Red flower

Yellow ribbon

Green wall

White dresses

The dance class (composition)

Cropped like a photograph

Asymmetrical composition, japanece influence

perspective(boards on floor)

Background

Foreground

Midground

Focal point

The dance class (theme)

Ballet

Behind the scenes

Realistic observation

of ballet dancers

The dance class(light /shadow)

Natural light created

by use of white on

dancers dresses

Light source from

right hand side,

illuminating teachers

back

Light source from

centre/ top of painting

Dancers preparing for an

Audition (1880)

Chalk pastel on paper

As the title says, two

dancers waiting to

have an audition,

watched by two other

ladies- perhaps

mothers

Theme

Ballet dancers

Technique

Chalk pastels

Technique –chalk pastels

Using a few pastel strokes,

degas draws the ballet

dress in a very light and

delicate manner

We can see the direction

of line that he drew with

his pastel (line to create

form was typical of his

style!)

Technique –chalk pastels

In this area you can see where Degas has smudged the pastel, maybe with his finger for the background beige colour

This is in complete contrast to the detailed linear work of the faces

detail

Technique – Colour /Light

Degas uses very subtle colours and tones to create form (3d), this can be seen very well on the bodies skin

The use of white on the ballet dresses creates a great sense of light in the overall painting

Technique - light

Degas demonstrates

both his excellent

drawing skills and

ability to show light

and shade on all the

womens body,

particularly the collar

bone

Composition

Background

Midground

Foreground

Degas composition is

clearly influenced by:

1. Japanese prints

2. Photography

The composition has

asymmetrical qualities,

and has the appearance

of a snapshot.

Composition

3 heads are tightly

placed together in far

top right hand corner

Composition

However, this is

balanced out by the

outward stretch of the

girls leg- creating a

balance!

The Tub (1886)

Chalk pastel on paper

A view of a woman

preparing to bathe,

however she appears

not to know she is

being viewed!

Theme

Degas loved unusual

poses and compositions –

to achieve that, his work

appears to be viewed

through a keyhole or fly

on the wall. It is this

unusual composition, pose

and study of a woman that

comes across as his theme

in this piece of work.

Composition

Degas composition is clearly influenced by:

1. Japanese prints

2. Photography

The composition has asymmetrical qualities, and has the appearance of a snapshot.

Background

Midground

Foreground

Composition

A lot of this composition is taken up with the womans body with great emphasis on her back

The arrangement is made up of some obvious curves and vertical lines

Back and tub = curves

Table and arm = vertical lines

Placed together, this creates an unusual composition

Technique

Degas used chalk pastels

He used the cross -hatching technique.

Through this he shows us how he can create tone. He makes the figure look solid

Hand pressed onto the tub shows great 3d.

Technique - light

Degas preferred to use

artificial light, he felt

it was more

challenging

His very detailed

study of light on this

body creates a very

strong form

Lifetime 1834-1917

In later years Degas developed a condition in his

eyes that made work very difficult for him

He worked in a dimly lit studio – making the

problem worse

He became a recluse and died lonely at 83.

Degas has remained one of the most respected,

admired and loved painters of a period which saw

the beginning of the whole modern movement.