Edgar Degas

## Edgar Degas: the eye behind the scenes

Edgar Hilaire Germain de Gas was born in 1834 in Paris into a wealthy banking family. He began studying law but dropped out to devote himself entirely to art. At the Ecole des Beaux-Arts he studied under Louis Lamothe, a pupil of Ingres, and he travelled to Italy to study the Old Masters. Although Degas is counted among the Impressionists and co-organised their exhibitions, he resisted the label. He preferred to call himself a realist and liked to work indoors, unlike the plein-air painters around him.

From the 1870s onwards, Degas focused on the subjects with which he would become inextricably linked: ballet, the racecourse and women going about their daily activities. When his eyesight began to deteriorate after the age of fifty, he increasingly turned to sculpture and pastel drawing. Upon his death in 1917, nearly 150 wax sculptures were found in his studio, of which 74 were cast in bronze.

## How to recognise Degas’s style

The work of Degas is distinguished by a number of recognisable elements:

– **Unconventional compositions**: Degas deliberately chose **cropping and oblique viewpoints** reminiscent of photography and Japanese prints. Figures are cut off by the edge of the frame, as if the viewer is catching a fleeting moment.

– **Movement in stillness**: Degas rarely captured the dramatic climax. Instead, he showed the **moment before or after** — the dancer tying her shoes, the horse waiting nervously before the start. It is precisely these everyday moments that give his work its tension.

– **Pastel and wax as materials**: Besides oil paint, Degas worked extensively with **pastel**, which allowed him to work more quickly and loosely. His late wax sculptures, never intended for the public, are now among his most valued works.

– **Light and shadow of the stage**: In his ballet scenes, Degas used the **artificial gaslight** of the Opera as a compositional element. The lighting from below or from the side gives his dancers a theatrical, sometimes almost ghostly appearance.

## Degas collection at Pop Art Statues

At Pop Art Statues, museum replicas of Degas sculptures are available, produced by Parastone — a manufacturer specialising in museum replicas based on originals from major collections. These are explicitly replicas, not original works.

The best-known piece is “The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer” (La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans), available in four sizes: miniature (from around 20 euros), small, medium and large (around 95 euros). There are also replicas of “Danseuse Verte”, “L’Attente” (The Waiting Dancer) and the horse racing sculpture “Le Faux Depart”. A vase featuring the “Danseuse sur Scene” (1877) motif is also available.

Prices range from around 20 euros for a miniature to around 100 euros for the largest replicas. All sculptures are made of resin with a bronze or patina-like finish.

## Who is Degas a good gift for?

A Degas replica suits lovers of **Impressionism, ballet and classical art**. It is a thoughtful gift for someone who loves dance, regularly visits museums or has a classical interior. The miniatures are affordable enough as a small art gift for a birthday or as a thank-you, while the larger sizes can serve as a serious decorative piece.

Particularly suitable for ballet enthusiasts, dance teachers or someone returning from a visit to the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, where the original Little Dancer is displayed. Also a good gift for special occasions if you know the recipient loves Degas.

Less suitable for those who prefer contemporary or abstract art. The replicas are faithful reproductions of nineteenth-century work and have a classical look that may not fit every modern interior. Those looking for a unique handmade object should bear in mind that these are series-produced items, albeit of high quality.

## Frequently asked questions about Edgar Degas

**What style does Edgar Degas have?**
Degas is counted among the Impressionists, although he preferred to call himself a realist. He is known for his paintings and sculptures of ballet dancers, horse races and everyday scenes, captured from unusual angles and with attention to the moment before or after the action.

**Are the Degas sculptures at Pop Art Statues originals?**
No, they are museum replicas made of resin, produced by Parastone. They are based on the original bronze sculptures housed in museums such as the Musee d’Orsay in Paris and the National Gallery of Art in Washington. They are not originals and are not sold as such.

**How much do Degas replicas cost at Pop Art Statues?**
Prices range from around 20 euros for a miniature of The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer to around 95 euros for the largest versions. The vase and wall objects fall in between. Check the product pages for current prices.

**What is the most popular Degas gift?**
The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer is by far the most popular Degas product. It is available in four sizes, allowing you to match the gift to your budget. The miniature is a popular entry-level option; the medium size is the most chosen format as a decorative piece.