Edgar Degas

Among the founders of Impressionism, though he himself refused to be considered part of such, Edgar Degas is among the titans of the art world. He indeed considered himself a realist, and many of his artistic traits were not in line with the impressionist ideal. As such, he painted indoors, he did not at least in his earlier work make use of overly bright colors and his art was not spontaneous, not inspired by the moment.

However, while Degas style show great respect for the great masters, it also includes characteristics like small visible brush strokes, he did start using brighter colors and he was always the master of movement. This last was apparent in his nudes, his race track depictions and especially in his many depictions of dancers, like Dancers at the Bar from 1888. More than half the works of Degas indeed covers dancers. These are also among the most stunning and famous of his work. Mostly all his art was painted in his studio, either using models or from memory, another trait that sets him apart from most impressionists. However, his influence was profound and his artistic touch amazing throughout his works many of which are availible as oil painting reproductions.