Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas's paintings and pastels examine dancers at work and rest, alongside portraits and café scenes. Academic training and admiration for Ingres supported his study of the figure. Cropped edges, angled floorboards, and unusual viewpoints organize space and movement, while preparatory drawings reveal the planning behind apparently accidental scenes. Layered pastel allows contours to be reinforced or softened, giving color and line different roles in the composition.