Absinthe Drinkeren (1876) is the painting Edgar Degas is best remembered for; it belongs to the Musée d'Orsay, Paris. Kvinde der tørrer sig and Danseklassen (1873) complete the trio of best-loved canvases. Our catalogue counts 1,074 works by Edgar Degas. Here are the 100 most famous, with the year, the museum and the story of each canvas.
Rangordnet efter vores popularitetsscore, som kombinerer søgninger, besøg og ordrer for hvert værk. Opdateret oktober 2026. Each painting on this page can be ordered as an oil reproduction painted by hand on linen canvas, or as a fine art print, made to the size you choose.
Edgar Degas' "Absinthe Drinkeren" (1876) er en rørende skildring af den parisiske cafékultur, der indfanger ensomheden og introspektionen i det 19. århundredes urbane liv. Dette mesterværk inviterer beskueren ind i et øjeblik af stille eftertanke, hvor to skikkelser sidder side om side, men alligevel er adskilt af verdener, hver opslugt af sine egne tanker.
Da Impressionismen opstod i Frankrig i den anden halvdel af det 19. århundrede, udfordrede den de traditionelle kunstneriske konventioner. Kunstnere som Degas brød med historiske og mytologiske motiver og vendte sig i stedet mod scener fra det moderne liv. Intimisme, en understrøm inden for impressionismen, fokuserede specifikt på hjemlige interiører og private øjeblikke. "Kvinde der tørrer sig" er et perfekt eksempel på denne tendens. Selvom Degas modsatte sig at blive…
At træde ind i Edgar Degas’s “Danseklassen” er som at overskride tidens grænser og træde ind i et fristed for disciplineret ynde. Dette mesterværk, malet omkring 1873, præsenterer ikke blot en scene fra en balletprøve; det tilbyder et intimt, næsten voyeuristisk vindue ind til den stille intensitet i dansestudiet. I modsætning til de storslåede, iscenesatte spektakler, man ofte forbinder med operaen, retter Degas vores blik mod den usminkede virkelighed i…
In the quiet, shadowed corners of a Parisian room, Edgar Degas captures something far more profound than a mere family gathering. The Bellelli Family, painted between 1858 and 1867, stands as an exquisite masterwork that transcends the boundaries of traditional portraiture. It is not simply a record of faces, but a psychological landscape where every gaze and posture whispers of unspoken tensions and deep-seated emotions. As one gazes upon this…
Edgar Degas’s “Interior,” often referred to as “The Rape,” is not merely a painting; it's an experience—a carefully constructed tableau of psychological tension and unspoken drama. Completed in 1868, this grisaille masterpiece resides within the Philadelphia Museum of Art, yet its power transcends its physical location, resonating with viewers long after they’ve turned away. It’s a work that invites speculation, prompting us to confront uncomfortable truths about human relationships and…
Portraits in a New Orleans Cotton Office Edgar Degas, one of the most celebrated artists of the Impressionist movement, gifted us Portraits in a New Orleans Cotton Office, an oil painting that encapsulates the very essence of his uncle’s cotton brokerage business during its calamitous bankruptcy. Completed in 1873, this masterpiece transcends mere visual representation; it stands as a testament to Degas' unparalleled skill and occupies a significant place within…
Edgar Degas’ ‘Dancers in Pink’, malet i 1885, er mere end blot et billede af balletdanserinder; det er et øjeblik fanget i tiden, en invitation til at fordybe sig i den flygtige skønhed og intense energi ved kunstnerisk udtryk. Det er et værk, der taler direkte til sjælen, og som stadig fascinerer os med sin evne til at fange bevægelse og atmosfære på en måde, få andre malere har formået.
Edgar Degas’ “Dancer with a bouquet of flowers (The Star of the ballet)” er mere end blot et maleri; det er en fanget drøm, en kortvarig glimt af skønhed og dedikation. Skabt i 1878, repræsenterer dette ikoniske værk et centralt punkt i Degas’ livslange fascination for ballet – ikke som en grandios spektakel, men som en intim observation af de menneskelige kræfter og følelser, der ligger bag scenens magi. Maleriets…
I 1879, i hjertet af det pulserende Paris, skabte maleren Edgar Degas et mesterværk, der fanger essensen af en verden af glamour, spænding og kunstnerisk udfoldelse: "Miss Lola, au Cirque Fernando". Dette er ikke blot et billede; det er et vindue ind i en tidlig 19. århundredes cirkus, hvor skønhed, mod og dygtighed forenedes i en spektakulær forestilling. Degas, kendt for sin skarpe observationsevne og sit ukonventionelle syn på kunst,…
Edgar Degas’ “Dancers at the Barre 1” er mere end blot et maleri; det er en levende indfaldning i balletens verden, fanget i pastelfarvernes bløde omfavnelse. Det er et øjebliks skønhed og dedikation, der udstråler både styrke og sårbarhed. Maleriet, skabt i 1888, er en hyldest til den intensive træning og den intense koncentration, der ligger bag balletdanseres kunst – et vidnesbyrd om Degas’ dybe fascination for denne verden af…
Edgar Degas’ "Café Concert" – ofte kaldet "The Song of the Dog" – er mere end blot et maleri; det er en portal til en fortryllende nat i…
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En intim skildring af dagliglivet Dette udsøgte kunstværk indfanger et stille, privat øjeblik, hvor en kvinde er optaget af sin daglige rutine – at vaske sig i badet.…
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Edgar Degas’ ”Sygeplejersken”, malet i 1873, er et mesterværk der taler direkte til hjertet. Det er ikke blot et billede; det er en invitation til eftertanke, en stille…
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Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas's "In a Café," malet omkring 1876, er ikke blot en skildring af to skikkelser, der nyder en pariseraft; det er en omhyggeligt observeret undersøgelse af menneskelig…
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A Glimpse Behind the Curtain: Edgar Degas’s “Dancers” (1898) This captivating pastel work by Edgar Degas offers a rare and intimate look beyond the dazzling spectacle of the…
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Edgar Degas' "The Dance Class" fra 1874 er mere end blot et maleri; det er en levende indfaldsskattegård af bevægelse, disciplin og den intense dedikation, der ligger bag…
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Et glimt af pariser-fritid: En dechifrering af Degas’ *Race Horses at Longchamp* Edgar Degas' Race Horses at Longchamp (1874) er ikke blot et maleri af en sportsbegivenhed; det…
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A Fleeting Moment of Grace: Exploring Degas’ “Dancer on Stage” This captivating pastel work by Edgar Degas transports us to the heart of the Parisian ballet world in…
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Step closer and observe the stillness within this 1880 pastel. There is a particular intimacy found here, away from the bright lights of the stage. We see two…
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Edgar Degas, a name synonymous with Impressionism, possessed a singular fascination that transcended mere artistic pursuit; he was utterly captivated by the world of ballet. Within his extensive…
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Edgar Degas’s pastel painting, “Two Dancers Entering the Stage,” created in 1878, is more than a depiction of ballet; it's a poignant capture of anticipation and poised movement.…
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A Glimpse into Parisian Elegance: Degas’ “Ballerina & Lady” Edgar Degas' 1885 pastel work, *Ballerina & Lady*, offers an intimate window into the world of late 19th-century Parisian…
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The Ballet Rehearsal on Stage: A Dance of Light and Observation Edgar Degas, a titan amongst Impressionist painters, possessed an unparalleled ability to capture the fleeting moments of…
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Step closer, and you might find yourself caught in the stillness of this moment. There is no grand theatricality here, only the presence of an unknown woman, perhaps…
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Edgar Degas, a titan of French Impressionism, stands apart from his peers not merely for stylistic innovation but also for an unyielding dedication to capturing the quiet dramas…
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The edges of the fan curve softly, framing a world that feels as though it might dissolve if one breathes too heavily. Three figures rest along the lower…
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Edgar Degas’ ”Siddende kvinde, der redder sit hår”, fuldført omkring 1890, er ikke blot en skildring af en dagligdags aktivitet; det er en dybdegående udforskning af femininitet, sårbarhed…
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Three female figures occupy the foreground, positioned in a diagonal arrangement that leads the eye from the upper middle toward the lower right. The composition focuses on a…
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A female singer occupies the center of this oil on canvas composition, her upper torso and head captured in a tight crop. The figure is positioned against a…
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Two women sit at a worktable that cuts across the space at a sharp, unsettling angle. The room is crowded with the dark, rounded silhouettes of hat stands,…
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Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas’s “Women Combing Their Hair,” painted circa 1876, is more than a simple depiction of domestic activity; it’s a profound meditation on movement, observation, and the fleeting…
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Three figures occupy a rehearsal space in this pastel on buff-colored wove paper. The view is from a slightly elevated perspective, looking down upon the dancers. One figure…
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Edgar Degas’s “A Roman Beggar Woman,” malet i 1857, er mere end blot et portræt; det er en hjerteskærende opsummering af urban fattigdom og den stille værdighed hos…
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A Glimpse Behind the Curtain: Decoding Degas’s “At the Ballet” Edgar Degas's 1881 pastel work, *At the Ballet*, offers a captivating and unusually intimate view into the world…
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The painting depicts a woman in a dressing room, identified as a ballerina or dancer. She is positioned before a mirror, appearing to look at her reflection while…
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A Glimpse Behind the Curtain: Degas’s “The Blue Dancers” Edgar Degas's “The Blue Dancers,” painted in 1897, is more than just a depiction of ballerinas; it’s an intimate…
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Edgar Degas produced Seated Nude Combing Her Hair in 1890. This work is a genre painting executed in the Impressionism style. It captures a woman seated on a…
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Edgar Degas's "Dancer in her Dressing Room," painted in 1879, isn’t merely a depiction of a ballerina; it’s a profound meditation on fleeting beauty, the solitude of artistic…
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The painting depicts a woman with a parasol in the Tuileries Gardens. She is rendered in profile, looking downward toward something in her hand while holding the parasol.…
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Edgar Degas' "Orchestra of the Opera," painted in 1869, isn’t merely a depiction of musicians; it’s a meticulously observed slice of Parisian life, a backstage tableau brimming with…
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The painting depicts a woman reclining on her side in a bathtub filled with water. She is positioned centrally within the frame, bathed in diffused natural light filtering…
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A Glimpse into Movement and Modernity: Degas’s “Russian Dancers” Edgar Degas, a master of capturing fleeting moments and modern life, presents us with a captivating scene in “Russian…
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A Window Into Parisian Life: Decoding Degas’s “A Cotton Office in New Orleans” Edgar Degas, a figure perpetually debated within the annals of Impressionism, stands apart as an…
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A Study in Blue: Degas’s Portrait of Mlle. Hélène Rouart This captivating pastel drawing offers a glimpse into the intimate world captured by Edgar Degas in 1886. *Woman…
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In the heart of 1884 Paris, amidst the gaslit glow of cabarets and the rhythmic pulse of urban nightlife, Edgar Degas captured a moment that transcends time. Singer…
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Three Dancers, Blue Skirts, Red Blouses The world of art is replete with masterpieces that continue to inspire and awe us. One such masterpiece is Three Dancers, Blue…
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En stille refleksion om skønhed og intimitet: Degas’ *Kvinde der børster sit hår* Edgar Degas' 1894 pastel, *Kvinde der børster sit hår*, er en betagende studie i rolig…
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Edgar Degas's "Danseuse rajustant son chausson" (Dancer Adjusting Her Shoe), painted circa 1880, isn’t merely a depiction of a ballerina; it’s a profound exploration of fleeting moments, the…
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The artwork is a pastel painting featuring three women dressed as dancers. Each dancer is depicted with her arms raised above her head. They are positioned on a…
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Edgar Degas's “Woman at a Window,” painted in 1872, is more than just a depiction of a figure observing the world outside; it’s a masterful exploration of light,…
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Ballet Scene is a painting by Edgar Degas. The composition focuses on a single female dancer positioned toward the front right of the stage. This figure is rendered…
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To stand before Four Dancers is to step directly into a moment suspended in time—a breath held just before the music swells, or perhaps, the perfect echo after…
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The painting depicts a horse-drawn carriage situated on a grassy field. Several horses are visible within the scene; some are positioned in the foreground while others are further…
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The scene unfolds through Lady with a Parasol, a work painted by Edgar Degas in 1871. This piece captures a fleeting moment of existence, frozen in time through…
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To gaze upon this depiction of a ballet rehearsal is to witness not the dazzling climax of performance, but the profound, intimate breath taken just before it. The…
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To gaze upon Degas's depiction of "Singer with a glove" is to be instantly transported into the vibrant, yet fleeting, atmosphere of a Parisian cabaret in the late…
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Edgar Degas's "Mme Jacques Fourchy," painted in 1883, isn’t merely a portrait; it’s a carefully constructed tableau vivant—a captured moment brimming with subtle observation and quiet intensity. This…
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The artwork is a pastel depiction of a landscape featuring a field of flax. In the foreground, there are bright yellow flowers scattered throughout the scene. A diamond-shaped…
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The painting depicts a rural scene featuring two horses positioned on a road in front of a house. One horse is situated toward the left side of the…
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A Glimpse into Intimate Modern Life: Decoding Degas’ “Woman Seated on a Canape” Edgar Degas' 1872 oil on panel, *Woman Seated on a Canapé*, offers a captivating window…
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En Bagage Efter Scenen: Degas’ “Dance Rehearsal” “Dance Rehearsal in the Studio of the Opera,” malet af Edgar Degas i 1895, er mere end blot en gengivelse af…
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Edgar Degas' "Woman Tying the Ribbons of Her Hat," painted in 1882, isn’t merely a portrait; it’s a carefully constructed tableau vivant – a staged scene capturing a…
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The painting Group of Dancers is an oil on canvas that captures three women dancing together within a room. The scene is characterized by a sense of energy…
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Edgar Degas, a name synonymous with the vibrant energy and subtle complexities of late 19th-century Parisian life, gifted us with a series of works that continue to captivate…
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To gaze upon this depiction of a dancer with a bouquet is to witness a moment suspended in time—a breath held just before the curtain rises, or perhaps,…
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Edgar Degas's "Conversation," housed within the hallowed halls of the Yale University Art Gallery, isn’t merely a painting; it’s a meticulously crafted snapshot of Parisian social life at…
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The painting depicts a ballet rehearsal taking place on a stage. The scene features at least 13 figures, all of whom are dressed in costumes appropriate for their…
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The scene unfolds through the delicate, layered application of pastel and charcoal, capturing a fleeting moment of grace. In this work, titled Two Dancers, the artist Edgar Degas…
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In this sculpture, titled Spanish dance, we encounter the quiet intensity of Edgar Degas. Created in France during the 1880s, the work captures a specific, fleeting moment of…
The stage lights seem to flicker even now as the eye wanders across the cream laid paper. A young woman holds the center of the frame, her body…
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To gaze upon this depiction of horses and jockeys is to witness time itself captured in a fleeting, exhilarating instant. It is more than just a sporting scene;…
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The air in the rehearsal space feels heavy with the scent of dust and tulle. In this 1885 pastel work, several ballerinas occupy a crowded, asymmetrical stage, caught…
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To stand before this depiction of four dancers is to witness time suspended in a moment of pure, unbridled artistry. Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas captured not merely figures on pointe,…
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Created in 1883, Dancer Tilting is a pastel drawing by Edgar Degas that captures a fleeting moment of movement. The composition centers on a young woman poised mid-leap,…
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In the quiet, focused moments before the curtain rises, there exists a unique tension—a blend of exhaustion and anticipation that Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas captured with unparalleled intimacy. Ballet Scene…
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Edgar Degas, et navn synonymt med Impressionismen, men dybt resistent over for let kategorisering, tilbyder os i "Melancholy" (1874) et værk, der transcenderer simpel portrættering. Huseret i det…
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Edgar Degas’ “Dancer’s Dressing Room,” created in 1878, offers an intimate and captivating glimpse into the world of ballet. This pastel work exemplifies the Impressionist movement's focus on…
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A Glimpse Behind the Curtain: Degas’s Balletic World Edgar Degas' *Three Ballet Dancers, One with Dark Crimson Waist* (1899) offers a captivating and intimate look into the world…
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The composition centers on Edouard Manet and his wife reclining together on a bed. Although dressed in impeccable formal attire—with Edouard sporting a tie indicative of recent social…
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In the quiet, sun-drenched corners of a Parisian rehearsal studio, Edgar Degas captured something far more profound than a mere ballet rehearsal. “Dancers Practicing at the Barre,” painted…
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In the heart of late 19th-century Paris, amidst the rhythmic pulse of urban life, Edgar Degas captured a scene that transcends the mere boundaries of a casual afternoon.…
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Edgar Degas, a figure perpetually shadowed by the brilliance of Monet and Renoir yet undeniably pivotal to the Impressionist movement, possessed an artistic vision that defied easy categorization.…
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The quietude of a private moment settles over the bronze figure known as Dancer Looking at the Sole of Her Right Foot. Created by Edgar Degas, this work…
Et Øjeblik Af Livet: En Dybdegående Analyse Af Degas’ “Kvinde Der Kommer Hendes Haar Omkring Spejlet” Edgar Degas' 1877 olie på lærred, *Kvinde Der Kommer Hendes Haar Omkring…
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The painting Dancers in the Wings is an oil on canvas measuring 61 x 50 cm. It depicts five women in various dance attire positioned at different heights…
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En Fascination for Fleeting Motion: Dekoder Degas’ *Four Dancers* Edgar Degas's *Four Dancers*, malet i 1900, er mere end blot en skildring af balletdanser; det er en mesterlig…
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Edgar Degas’ “The Ballet Class,” completed around 1874-1876, stands as a cornerstone of Impressionist art and a poignant glimpse into the world of ballet during its formative years.…
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The artwork is a pastel drawing that depicts two women seated on a theater stage. The composition features one woman positioned in front of the other near the…
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Edgar Degas' 1876 pastel work, *Dancer on Stage with a Bouquet*, is far more than a simple depiction of a ballerina poised in repose. It’s an intimate invitation…
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A Moment of Quietude: Exploring Degas’ *Woman with a Bandage* Edgar Degas' *Woman with a Bandage*, painted in 1873, is more than just a portrait; it’s an intimate…
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To stand before this depiction of Dancers (8) is to step directly into the vibrant, breathless atmosphere backstage—a moment suspended between performance and memory. Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas captured not…
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To gaze upon Degas's Cafe-Concert Singer is to step directly into the smoky, vibrant heart of late nineteenth-century Paris. This painting captures more than just a moment; it…
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To gaze upon The Rehearsal is to step directly into a moment suspended in time—a breath held just before the curtain rises, or perhaps, just after the applause…
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In his 1877 masterpiece, Dancers Practicing at the Barre, Edgar Degas captures a fleeting moment of discipline within a ballet studio. The scene features two young women engaged…
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In the delicate dance between light and shadow, Edgar Degas captures a moment of pure, unadulterated vitality in Russian Dancer. Created in 1895, this masterpiece serves as a…
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The artwork Olive Trees against a Mountainous Background is a pastel piece that presents a landscape scene. The composition features several olive trees scattered throughout the image, with…
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Edgar Degas, a renowned French Impressionist painter, captivated audiences with his evocative landscape View of Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme in 1898. Now residing within the esteemed collection at the Metropolitan Museum…
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In 1863, Edgar Degas turns his gaze toward a man who shares his devotion to the craft of seeing. This half-length portrait captures Léon-Joseph-Florentin Bonnat, not as a…
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In the delicate, ephemeral world of Edgar Degas, movement is never static; it is a living, breathing entity caught in a fleeting instant. His 1875 masterpiece, Two Dancers…
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De 8 museer, der rummer flest af malerierne på denne side.
| Museum | By | Værker af Edgar Degas | Malerier fra denne liste |
|---|---|---|---|
 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
New York | 52 | Dansklokalet, Fan Mount: Ballet Girls, Three Dancers Preparing for Class |
 Musée d'Orsay |
Paris | 55 | Absinthe Drinkeren, Danseklassen, The Bellelli Family |
 National Gallery |
London | 18 | Kvinde der tørrer sig, Two Dancers in Their Dressing Room, Head of a Woman |
 Norton Simon Museum |
Pasadena | 5 | Dancer in her dressing room, Dans Balletstudiet: Et Øjebliksbillede af Degas, Kvinde der børster sit hår foran spejlet |
 National Gallery of Art |
Washington | 28 | Four dancers, ca National Galler, Fire Dansere |
 Museum of Fine Arts |
Boston | 10 | Væddeløbsheste ved Longchamp, A Carriage at the Races |
 Art Institute of Chicago |
Chicago | 8 | Yellow Dancers (In the Wings), Café Singer |
 Courtauld Gallery |
London | 7 | Woman at a Window, Lady with a Parasol |
Edgar Degas’s “A Roman Beggar Woman,” malet i 1857, er mere end blot et portræt; det er en hjerteskærende opsummering af urban fattigdom og den stille værdighed hos…
Edgar Degas’s “Interior,” often referred to as “The Rape,” is not merely a painting; it's an experience—a carefully constructed tableau of psychological tension and unspoken drama. Completed in…
Edgar Degas' "Absinthe Drinkeren" (1876) er en rørende skildring af den parisiske cafékultur, der indfanger ensomheden og introspektionen i det 19. århundredes urbane liv. Dette mesterværk inviterer beskueren…
Edgar Degas’ ‘Dancers in Pink’, malet i 1885, er mere end blot et billede af balletdanserinder; det er et øjeblik fanget i tiden, en invitation til at fordybe…
En intim skildring af dagliglivet Dette udsøgte kunstværk indfanger et stille, privat øjeblik, hvor en kvinde er optaget af sin daglige rutine – at vaske sig i badet.…
Three Dancers, Blue Skirts, Red Blouses The world of art is replete with masterpieces that continue to inspire and awe us. One such masterpiece is Three Dancers, Blue…
Absinthe Drinkeren (1876), Musée d'Orsay, Paris. Kvinde der tørrer sig and Danseklassen (1873) follow.
Edgar Degas, born in 1834, was 42 years old: Absinthe Drinkeren dates from 1876.
Absinthe Drinkeren, Kvinde der tørrer sig, Danseklassen, The Bellelli Family, Interior (also known as The Rape), Portraits in a New Orleans Cotton Office, Ballettører i Pink, Danser med en buket af blomster (Stjernen i balletten), Miss Lola ved Cirque Fernando og Danskere ved Barre 1. Each canvas in the ranking above comes with its year and its museum.
1,074 works by Edgar Degas are in our catalogue, dated 1857 to 1905.
Mostly in Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), Musée d'Orsay (Paris) og National Gallery (London); the list above names each museum and its canvases.
In 1870s, which gave 40 of the 100 works on this page, Absinthe Drinkeren among them.
The earliest canvas here is A Roman Beggar Woman (1857); the latest is Group of Dancers (1905).
Ballet (23), Dancers (12) og Dance (12), across the 100 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, used in 26 of the 100 works on this page.
Impressionisme, as the canvases on this page show.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York holds 9 of the works on this page, among them Dansklokalet, Fan Mount: Ballet Girls og Three Dancers Preparing for Class.
Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered from its own page as an oil reproduction painted by hand, or as a fine art print, in the size you choose.
Paris, 1834. Et barn fødes ind i en moderat velhavende familie hos Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas. Det navn, han senere ville forenkle til Edgar Degas, markerer begyndelsen på et liv defineret af spændingen mellem sociale forventninger og kunstnerisk besættelse. Han vokser op i den sofistikerede atmosfære i den franske hovedstad, en kulisse, der senere vil tjene som baggrund for hans observationer af det moderne liv.
Årene passerer i en tåge af studier og skiftende interesser. Han bevæger sig fra sin opvæksts strukturerede miljø mod storbyens rå arbejdsrum. Han søger ikke det frie sollys udendørs, men foretrækker det kontrollerede, kunstige lys fra atelieret og teatret. Hans blik falder på danserne, vaskekonerne og Paris' væddeløbsheste, hvor han indfanger det fysiske slid ved arbejdet og scenens flygtige bevægelser. Han forbliver et menneske af modsætninger, der ofte modsatte sig de mærkater, hans samtidige pålagde ham, og som i stedet insisterede på sin identitet som realist.
Slutningen indtræffer i Paris den 27. september 1917. Han efterlader sig en enorm produktion, der strækker sig over mange årtier, herunder:
Paris, 1834. Som søn af en bankmand og Célestine Musson De Gas, en kreol fra New Orleans, Louisiana, træder Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas ind i en verden præget af borgerlig stabilitet. Som ellevenårig bliver han indskrevet på Lycée Louis-le-Grand. Den akademiske sti virker lagt, men drengens fokus driver mod de majestætiske sale i Louvre. Da han i 1853 har afsluttet sin baccalauréat i litteratur fra Lycée, vælger han at gå sine forældres forventninger om en juridisk karriere efter i halsen. I stedet melder han sig som kopist på Louvre Museum, hvor han bruger sine timer på at efterligne de store mestres linjer.
Uddannelsen intensiveres ved École des Beaux-Arts i Paris. Han gennemgår den klassiske undervisnings strenge disciplin og forfiner den præcision, som senere skulle definere hans værk. I 1855 finder et møde sted, der sætter et permanent præg på hans udvikling: han møder Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. Dette møde cementerer en dyb respekt for tegnekunsten og linjens betydning, selvom han samtidig begynder at bevæge sig mod de moderne motiver, der i sidste ende skulle definere hans karriere.
Edgar Degas afviser betegnelsen som impressionist. Han foretrækker termen "realist", et valg der dikterer hans fulde tilgang til lærredet. Han undgår det åbne landskab og de løse, flimrende penselstrøg, som hans samtidige foretrak. I stedet trækker han sig tilbage til atelierets kontrollerede miljø. Her mestrer han den menneskelige form gennem en streng og disciplineret tegnekunst. Han er en enestående tegner med en specifik, teknisk beherskelse af skildringen af bevægelse. Han venter ikke på, at solen rammer sit motiv; han konstruerer sine scener gennem omhyggelige studier i blyant eller pastel. Denne forberedelse gør det muligt for ham at fastfryse et flygtigt øjeblik af bevægelse med anatomisk præcision.
Lyset i en komposition af Edgar Degas er sjældent naturligt. Han benytter kunstigt lys til at fremhæve figurerne, hvilket skaber en følelse af teatralitet og dybde. En bemærkelsesværdig metode er contre-jour, hvor han placerer sit motiv i skygge, mens baggrunden forbliver skarpt oplyst. Denne teknik isolerer figuren og trækker den frem fra omgivelserne. Resultatet er en spænding mellem subjektet og det rum, de bebor, hvilket ofte afslører den fysiske anstrengelse eller den stille, uopstillede virkelighed i det moderne liv.
Scenen og stalden dominerer hans visuelle univers. Mere end halvdelen af hans produktion er dedikeret til danserne, som han indfanger i både de intense øjeblikke under prøverne og i selve forestillingens glans. Han bevæger sig sømløst mellem piruettens ynde og den fysiske anstrengelse, der udspiller sig i danseklassen. Men hans blik rækker ud over teatrets mure; han vender også opmærksomheden mod væddeløbsbanens hastighed, hvor han dokumenterer både væddeløbshestene og de jockeys, der rider dem. Disse motiver er ikke blot dekorative elementer, men dybdegående studier i spænding og bevægelse.
Hans kunstneriske rækkevidde strækker sig ind i det private og det psykologiske lag. Han skaber portrætter, der afslører et komplekst indre liv, ofte ved at benytte ukonventionelle vinkler til at isolere sine motiver. Denne intense fokus på den menneskelige form er ikke begrænset til oliemaleriet; han arbejder med en bred vifte af medier, herunder raderinger, tegninger og voks-skulpturer. Hans evne til at gengive den menneskelige figur træder tydeligt frem i hans mange studier af kvinder, hvor han ofte fokuserer på kroppen i de private, uobserverede øjeblikke.
Det skiftende landskab i det sene 19. århundredes kunst finder en central skikkelse i Edgar Degas. Selvom han modsatte sig mærkaten, var hans tilstedeværelse med til at lægge fundamentet for impressionismen. Han bevægede sig væk fra akademiets stive, historiske motiver og valgte i stedet at dokumentere det moderne parisiske livs råhed og ynde. Denne afvigelse fra traditionen banede vejen for fremtidige generationer af kunstnere, der kunne udforske den uforfalskede virkelighed i den menneskelige tilstand.
Hans indflydelse rækker langt ud over den oprindelige impressionistiske cirkel. De strukturelle innovationer og de ukonventionelle kompositioner, som han udviklede, satte et uudsletteligt præg på den moderne kunsts bane. Mere specifikt kan hans tilgang til form og bevægelse ses i de senere værker af Pablo Picasso og Henri Matisse. Han lærte kunstverdenen at betragte verden gennem asymmetriske vinkler og uventede beskæringer, hvilket forvandlede de private, flygtige øjeblikke hos en danser eller en vaskekone til permanente studier i bevægelse.
Spor af Degas' skarpe observationer findes stadig spredt over hele verden, bevaret i de stille sale i Paris og langt uden for byens grænser. I Frankrig rummer Musée d'Orsay betydelige samlinger af hans værker, som indfanger den bevægelse, han brugte et helt liv på at studere. Louvre-museet huser ligeledes hans kunst, mens Bibliothèque Nationale de France i Paris opbevarer hans værker i sine arkiver. Disse samlinger tilbyder et direkte indblik i den tekniske præcision og den formstudie, der definerede hans karriere.
På den anden side af Atlanten strækker hans vision sig helt ind i USA. Metropolitan Museum of Art i New York besidder hans malerier, hvilket giver et vindue ind til det moderne liv, han skildrede med en sådan grundighed. I Philadelphia indeholder Philadelphia Museum of Art hans værker, hvilket sikrer, at hans indflydelse forbliver tilgængelig for et internationalt publikum. Disse steder fungerer som fysiske ankre for hans eftermæle, hvor de linjer og det lys, han mestrede, stadig er synlige for det moderne øje.
