Biography of Edgar Degas
Moments in time
Edgar Degas was born in Paris, France, in 1834. His
father was a banker and his family was wealthy. Edgar
grew into a shy and sensitive young man. He had few
interests and didn’t know what he wanted to do in
life. Taking his parents’ advice, he began to study law,
but he did not enjoy it and dropped out of his course.
Soon after, however, he discovered what he really
wanted to do: become an artist.
Loving support
When Degas decided he wanted to be
a painter, his father was not annoyed.
Instead he was happy that his son had
found something that he loved doing and
was keen to do for the rest of his life. So he
gave Edgar his full support.
Using money from his father, Degas
traveled to Italy to look at paintings by
the great masters of the Renaissance,
that period in the late Middle Ages in Italy
when painting flourished. He carefully
studied works by artists
,
such as Raphael
and Michelangelo. Along with constant
practice, his observation of their works
helped him become a highly skilled painter.
On his return to Paris, Degas set up a
studio. Increasingly, he liked to paint
scenes from modern life, including
horseracing. When, in 1870, Prussia
attacked France, Degas helped defend
the city. During 1872, he traveled to New
Orleans in the United States to visit his
brother René and other relatives.
Self-portrait
(1855), Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France
