"La Absinthe Drinker" -> "Absintensipparen" (1876) is the painting Edgar Degas is best remembered for; it belongs to the Musée d'Orsay, Paris. Kvinne som tørker seg and The Dance Class (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.
Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated October 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' "Absintensipparen" (1876) er en hjerteskjærende skildring av den parisiske kafékulturen, som fanger ensomheten og introspeksjonen i det 19. århundrets urbane liv. Dette mesterverket inviterer betrakteren inn i et øyeblikk av stille ettertanke, hvor to skikkelser sitter side om side, men likevel er uendelig langt fra hverandre, hver oppslukt i sine egne tanker.
Da impresjonismen vokste frem i Frankrike i andre halvdel av det 19. århundre, utfordret den de tradisjonelle kunstneriske konvensjonene. Kunstnere som Degas brøt med historiske og mytologiske motiver, og vendte seg i stedet mot scener fra det moderne liv. *Intimisme*, en understrøm innen impresjonismen, fokuserte spesifikt på hjemlige interiører og private øyeblikk. "Kvinne som tørker seg" er et perfekt eksempel på denne trenden. Selv om Degas motsatte seg å bli…
To step into Edgar Degas’s “The Dance Class” is to transcend the boundaries of time and enter a sanctuary of disciplined grace. Painted around 1873, this masterpiece does not merely present a scene of balletic rehearsal; it offers an intimate, almost voyeuristic window into the quiet intensity of the dance studio. Unlike the grand, staged spectacles often associated with the opera, Degas directs our gaze toward the unvarnished reality of…
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” er mer enn bare et maleri; det er en fanget øyeblikk, en pulserende scene fra ballettsjarmens verden. Skapt i 1885, fanger dette arbeidet essensen av Paris Opera Ballet på slutten av det 19. århundre, og tilbyr et innblikk i en tid hvor kunst og underholdning smeltet sammen i en blendende fusjon. Degas, ofte anerkjent som en outsider blant de mer formelle Impressionistene, var likevel dypt…
Edgar Degas’ “Dancer with a bouquet of flowers (The Star of the ballet)” er mer enn bare et bilde; det er en portal til den pulserende verdenen av Paris' ballettscene på slutten av 1800-tallet. Skapt i 1878, fanger dette maleriet ikke bare en ballerina i sin ynde, men også et øyeblikk – et fanget pust av eleganse og intensitet som for alltid definerte Degas’ kunstneriske visjon. Det er en studie…
Edgar Degas' «Miss Lola, au Cirque Fernando» er mer enn bare et bilde; det er en levende portal til Paris’ pulserende circus-scene på slutten av 1800-tallet. Denne fantastiske olien på lerrets skapelsen, nå bevart i National Gallery i London, fanger ikke bare et øyeblikk, men hele essensen av en spektakulær forestilling og den ambisiøse kunstnerens skarpe observasjonsevne. Billedet er et testament til Degas’ unike evne til å forene klassisk teknikk…
“Danskere ved Barre 1” er ikke bare et bilde; det er en portal til en verden av disiplin, skjønnhet og den intense energi som utstråles fra ballettdans. Skapt av Edgar Degas i 1888, fanger dette pastelmaleriet et spesifikt øyeblikk i et studio, der to ballerinas engasjerer seg i sine daglige øvelser. Det er en scene som utstråler både ro og dynamikk, en stille refleksjon over dedikasjon og den flyktige naturen…
Den fortryllende atmosfæren av parisiske natteliv Edgar Degas' "The Cafe Concert (The Song of the Dog)" transporterer betrakteren rett inn i hjertet av det parisiske nattelivet på slutten…
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En intim skildring av dagliglivet Dette utsøkte kunstverket fanger et stille, privat øyeblikk av en kvinne opptatt med sin daglige rutine – å vaske seg i badet. Gjennom…
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Edgar Degas’ “The Nurse,” maltet i 1873, er et verk som utstråler en dyp og urovekkende skjønnhet. Dette ikke-representasjonelle maleriet, ofte sett i lys av hans interesse for…
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Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas' «In a Café», malt rundt 1876, er ikke bare en skildring av to skikkelser som nyter en parisisk kveld; det er en nitidig observert studie av…
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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,” painted in 1874, isn’t merely a depiction of a ballet rehearsal; it’s an intimate window into the rigorous world of professional dance. This…
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Et glimt av parisiske fritid: Avkodingen av Degas’ *Hestekappløp ved Longchamp* Edgar Degas’ *Hestekappløp ved Longchamp* (1874) er ikke bare et maleri av en sportslig begivenhet; det er…
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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’ pastelmaleri, “To to Dønnere Inn i Scenen”, skapt i 1878, er mer enn en fremstilling av ballett; det er et hjerteskjærende øyeblikksbilde av forventning og posert…
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A Glimpse into Parisian Elegance: Degas’ “Ballerina & Lady” Edgar Degas' 1885 pastel work, *Ballerina and Lady with a Fan*, offers an intimate window into the world of…
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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’ «Sittende kvinne som kjemmer håret», fullført rundt 1890, er ikke bare en skildring av en hverdagslig syssel; det er en dyp utforskning av femininitet, sårbarhet og…
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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,” målad i 1857, är mer än bara ett porträtt; det är en hjärtskärande sammanfattning av urban fattigdom och den tysta värdigheten 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’ «Danser i garderoben», malt i 1879, er ikke bare en fremstilling av en ballerina; det er en dyp meditasjon over flyktig skjønnhet, den kunstneriske skapelsens ensomhet…
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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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Tre Dansere, Blå Skjorter, Røde Skjørt Verden av kunst er full av mesterverk som fortsetter å inspirere og beundre oss. Et slikt mesterverk er “Three Dancers, Blue Skirts,…
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A Moment of Intimate Reflection: Degas’s *Woman Combing Her Hair* Edgar Degas's 1894 pastel, *Woman Combing Her Hair*, is a captivating study in quiet intimacy and the beauty…
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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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This remarkable painting exemplifies Degas’ commitment to realism combined with the expressive qualities of Impressionism. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture a universal human moment…
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A Glimpse Behind the Curtain: Degas’s “Dance Rehearsal” “Dance Rehearsal in the Studio of the Opera,” painted in 1895 by Edgar Degas, is more than just a depiction…
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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 impresjonisme, men dypt resistent mot enkel kategorisering, tilbyr oss i “Melancholy” (1874) et verk som overskrider enkel portrettkunst. Huset i Phillips Collection…
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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…
Woman Combing Her Hair before a Mirror – A Masterpiece of Impressionistic Realism Edgar Degas’ *Woman Combing Her Hair before a Mirror*, painted in 1877, stands as an…
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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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A Glimpse into Fleeting Movement: Decoding Degas’s *Four Dancers* Edgar Degas's *Four Dancers*, painted in 1900, is more than just a depiction of ballerinas; it’s a masterful study…
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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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The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Edgar Degas | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
New York | 52 | Dansetimen, Fan Mount: Ballet Girls, Three Dancers Preparing for Class |
 Musée d'Orsay |
Paris | 55 | "La Absinthe Drinker" -> "Absintensipparen", The Dance Class, The Bellelli Family |
 National Gallery |
London | 18 | Kvinne som tørker seg, Two Dancers in Their Dressing Room, Head of a Woman |
 Norton Simon Museum |
Pasadena | 5 | Danser i garderoben, Danses Repetisjon I Operastudio, Kvinner som børster håret sitt foran speilet |
 National Gallery of Art |
Washington | 28 | Four dancers, ca National Galler, Fire Dansere |
 Museum of Fine Arts |
Boston | 10 | Rennhev på 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,” målad i 1857, är mer än bara ett porträtt; det är en hjärtskärande sammanfattning av urban fattigdom och den tysta värdigheten 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' "Absintensipparen" (1876) er en hjerteskjærende skildring av den parisiske kafékulturen, som fanger ensomheten og introspeksjonen i det 19. århundrets urbane liv. Dette mesterverket inviterer betrakteren inn…
Edgar Degas’ “Dancers in Pink” er mer enn bare et maleri; det er en fanget øyeblikk, en pulserende scene fra ballettsjarmens verden. Skapt i 1885, fanger dette arbeidet…
En intim skildring av dagliglivet Dette utsøkte kunstverket fanger et stille, privat øyeblikk av en kvinne opptatt med sin daglige rutine – å vaske seg i badet. Gjennom…
Tre Dansere, Blå Skjorter, Røde Skjørt Verden av kunst er full av mesterverk som fortsetter å inspirere og beundre oss. Et slikt mesterverk er “Three Dancers, Blue Skirts,…
"La Absinthe Drinker" -> "Absintensipparen" (1876), Musée d'Orsay, Paris. Kvinne som tørker seg and The Dance Class (1873) follow.
Edgar Degas, born in 1834, was 42 years old: "La Absinthe Drinker" -> "Absintensipparen" dates from 1876.
"La Absinthe Drinker" -> "Absintensipparen", Kvinne som tørker seg, The Dance Class, The Bellelli Family, Interior (also known as The Rape), Portraits in a New Orleans Cotton Office, Dansere i Rosa, Danser med en blomsterbukett (Stjernen i balletten), Miss Lola, au Cirque Fernando, NG L and Dansere ved stangen 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) and National Gallery (London); the list above names each museum and its canvases.
In 1870s, which gave 40 of the 100 works on this page, "La Absinthe Drinker" -> "Absintensipparen" among them.
The earliest canvas here is A Roman Beggar Woman (1857); the latest is Group of Dancers (1905).
Ballet (19), Dancers (12) and Dance (12), across the 100 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, used in 27 of the 100 works on this page.
Impressionist painting, as the canvases on this page show.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York holds 9 of the works on this page, among them Dansetimen, Fan Mount: Ballet Girls and 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 blir født inn i en moderat velstående familie av Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas. Navnet han senere skulle forenkle til Edgar Degas, markerer begynnelsen på et liv definert av spenningen mellom sosiale forventninger og kunstnerisk besettelse. Han vokser opp i den sofistikerte atmosfæren i den franske hovedstaden, en kulisse som senere skal danne bakteppet for hans skarpe observasjoner av det moderne liv.
Årene passerer i en tåke av studier og skiftende interesser. Han beveger seg bort fra den strukturerte oppveksten og mot det råe livet i byens arbeidsrom. Han søker ikke sollyset utendørs, men foretrekker det kontrollerte, kunstige lyset i atelieret og på teateret. Blikket hans hviler på danserne, vaskekjerringene og veddeløpshestene i Paris, hvor han fanger det fysiske slitet ved arbeid og scenens flyktige bevegelser. Han forblir en mann av motsetninger, som ofte motsetter seg merkelappene hans samtidige forsøker å sette på ham, og insisterer i stedet på sin identitet som realist.
Slutten kommer i Paris den 27. september 1917. Han etterlater seg et enormt kunstnerisk virke som strekker seg over mange tiår, inkludert:
Paris, 1834. Som sønn av en bankmann og Célestine Musson De Gas, en kreol fra New Orleans i Louisiana, trer Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas inn i en verden preget av borgerlig stabilitet. Allerede i en alder av elleve år blir han skrevet inn ved Lycée Louis-le-Grand. Den akademiske stien virker lagt, men guttens fokus vandrer stadig mot de storslåtte salene i Louvre. Innen 1853, etter å ha fullført sin baccalauréat i litteratur, velger han å gå bort fra farens forventninger om en juridisk karriere. I stedet registrerer han seg som kopist ved Louvre-museet, hvor han tilbringer sine dager med å spore de mesterlige linjene til de store kunstnerne.
Den kunstneriske treningen intensiveres ved École des Beaux-Arts i Paris. Han navigerer gjennom den klassiske undervisningens strenge krav og foredler en presisjon som skulle komme til å definere hans senere virke. I 1855 inntreffer et møte som setter et uutslettelig preg på hans utvikling: han møter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. Dette møtet befester en dyp respekt for tegnekunsten og linjens betydning, selv mens han begynner å bevege seg mot de moderne motivene som til slutt skulle definere hans karriere.
Degas avviser merkelappen som impresjonist. Han foretrekker begrepet "realist", et valg som dikterer hele hans tilnærming til lerretet. Han unngår det åpne landskapet og de løse, flimrende penselstrøkene som hans samtidige foretrakk. I stedet trekker han seg tilbake til studiets kontrollerte omgivelser. Her mestrer han den menneskelige formen gjennom en rigorøs tegningskunst. Han er en eksepsjonell tegner med en spesifikk, teknisk kontroll over fremstillingen av bevegelse. Han venter ikke på at solen skal treffe et motiv; han konstruerer scenene sine gjennom grundige studier med blyant eller pastell. Denne forberedelsen gjør det mulig for ham å fryse et flyktig øyeblikk av bevegelse med anatomisk presisjon.
Lyset i en komposisjon av Degas er sjelden naturlig. Han benytter kunstig lys for å fremheve figurene, noe som skaper en følelse av teatralitet og dybde. En bemerkelsesverdig metode er contre-jour, hvor han plasserer motivet i skygge mens bakgrunnen forblir sterkt opplyst. Denne teknikken isolerer figuren og trekker den frem fra omgivelsene. Resultatet er en spenning mellom subjektet og rommet de befinner seg i, noe som ofte avslører den fysiske belastningen eller den stille, uoppstillede virkeligheten i det moderne liv.
Scenen og stallen dominerer hans visuelle verden. Mer enn halvparten av hans produksjon er rettet mot danserne, der han fanger dem i øyeblikk av både prøver og forestillinger. Han beveger seg sømløst mellom en piruettens ynde og den fysiske belastningen i en danseklasse. Utenfor teaterets vegger vender han blikket mot galoppen på veddeløpsbanen, hvor han dokumenterer både travhestene og jockeyene som rir dem. Disse motivene er ikke bare dekorative; de er dype studier i spenning og bevegelse.
Hans kunstneriske rekkevidde strekker seg inn i det private og det psykologiske. Han skaper portretter som avdekker et komplekst indre liv, ofte ved å bruke ukonvensjonelle vinkler for å isolere sine motiver. Dette fokuset på den menneskelige formen er ikke begrenset til oljemaleri på lerret; han utforsker et bredt spekter av medier, inkludert grafikk, tegninger og skulpturer i voks. Hans evne til å gjengi den menneskelige skikkelsen kommer tydelig til uttrykk i hans mange studier av kvinner, hvor han ofte retter søkelyset mot kroppen i private, uobserverte øyeblikk.
Skiftet i kunsten mot slutten av det 19. århundre finner en sentral skikkelse i Edgar Degas. Selv om han motsette seg merkelappen, bidro hans tilstedeværelse til å legge fundamentet for impresjonismen. Han beveget seg bort fra akademiets rigide, historiske motiver, og valgte i stedet å dokumentere det rå og det grasiøse i det moderne parisiske livet. Dette bruddet med tradisjonen banet vei for fremtidige generasjoner av kunstnere som ønsket å utforske den usminkede virkeligheten av den menneskelige tilstand.
Hans innflytelse strekker seg langt utover den opprinnelige impresjonistiske kretsen. De strukturelle innovasjonene og de ukonvensjonelle komposisjonene han utviklet, satte dype spor i den moderne kunstens bane. Spesielt kan hans tilnærming til form og bevegelse ses i de senere verkene til Pablo Picasso og Henri Matisse. Han lærte kunstverdenen å betrakte verden gjennom asymmetriske vinkler og uventede utsnitt, og forvandlet de private, flyktige øyeblikkene til en danser eller en vaskekjerring til permanente studier av bevegelse.
Sporene etter Edgar Degas' skarpe observasjoner ligger spredt mellom store institusjoner, bevart i de stille salene i Paris og langt utenfor landets grenser. I Frankrike rommer Musée d'Orsay betydelige samlinger av hans arbeid, som på vakkert vis fanger bevegelsen han viet et helt liv til å studere. Louvre-museet huser også hans kunst, mens Bibliothèque Nationale de France i Paris bevarer hans verk i sine arkiver. Disse samlingene tilbyr et direkte innblikk i den tekniske presisjonen og studiet av form som definerte hans karriere.
Over Atlanteren strekker hans visjonære blikk seg helt til USA. Metropolitan Museum of Art i New York innehar hans malerier, noe som gir et vindu inn i det moderne livet han skildret med en slik grundighet. I Philadelphia finner man verk av Philadelphia Museum of Art, som sikrer at hans innflytelse forblir tilgjengelig for et internasjonalt publikum. Disse stedene fungerer som fysiske ankre for hans ettermæle, hvor linjene og lyset han mestret fremdeles er synlige for det moderne øye.
