Collection: Art prints by Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas was a French painter, draughtsman and sculptor and was one of the influential figures of Impressionism, although he took an independent position within the movement. He came from a wealthy Parisian family and received a classical education at the École des Beaux-Arts, where he studied the art of the Old Masters intensively. His extraordinary talent for drawing became apparent early on and formed the basis of his entire oeuvre.

Degas was less interested in open-air painting than many of his Impressionist colleagues. Instead, he turned his attention to modern life indoors: opera rehearsal rooms, ballet halls, theaters, cafés and racecourses. His depictions of dancers, which he did not idealize but showed in moments of effort, concentration and movement, became particularly famous. These motifs allowed him to engage intensively with posture, rhythm and space.

Degas' art is characterized by unusual framing and perspectives, which are often influenced by photography and Japanese woodblock prints. He experimented with various techniques and materials, including pastel, printmaking and sculpture, and was always looking for new ways of expression. His use of color became stronger and freer over time, while the graphic structure remained intact.

Despite his reticence towards the concept of Impressionism, Degas took part in several Impressionist exhibitions and had a decisive influence on their appearance. In his later years, his eyesight deteriorated, which led to a greater simplification of forms and an increased intensity of color. Today, Edgar Degas is considered one of the most influential artists of the 19th century, whose work goes far beyond Impressionism and has had a lasting influence on modern art.