The Nuances of the Artist’s Painting

Imagine the Louvre in Paris in the 1860s: Degas is seated in front of a canvas by the Spanish painter Velázquez, a casual visitor stops and observes with interest in the young artist’s work. The stranger comments on the copy, to Degas’s surprise, with knowledge. A conversation develops between the two men that will grow into a lifelong friendship. The chance visitor turned out to be Édouard Manet, one of the founders of Impressionism, and he brought Edgar Degas into the circle of like-minded people and introduced him to Monet and Renoir.  

Degas, like his new acquaintances, sought to move away from the formulaic notion of painting, to turn more to the themes of life and portray it in process, truthfully. His acquaintance with Impressionism did change the artist’s idea of representation, but he was not at all drawn to the landscapes that are so beloved in Impressionist circles. While Monet and Renoir painted from life, Degas stood out from them. He followed the rule “to observe without drawing, and to paint without observing.” 

What did Degas mean when he portrayed life as it is? The artist liked to portray people, especially women, and not pose them in a static position. The paintings are as if Degas took them by surprise, as in the 1885 painting Woman Combing Her Hair (Woman at the Toilet). Ballet was another of the artist’s favorite motives. However, he did not paint the bright and graceful figures of dancers but caught them in the dressing room or preparing for a performance. In Rehearsal of the Ballet on Stage, Degas portrayed the dancers in the “run-through” of the performance: the view of the stage falls not from the usual perspective of the stalls, but from the side.

The artist managed to convey the atmosphere of the ballet rehearsal: the “porcelain” silhouettes of dancing girls contrasted with the relaxed figures of ballerinas waiting for their turn. While the Impressionists experimented with color and worshiped light, Degas said, “I am a colorist with lines.”

Success Key Point

Up until the 1870s, the critics ignored Degas. His work was exhibited once, and his work did not bring any income. However, thanks to the means of his family, he was not a pauper. This also distinguished him among the creative elite: not everyone could afford to engage in creative work without being distracted by commercial orders. 

The 1870s were a triumph for the artist. After the famous collector Paul Durand-Ruel sold three works by Degas, Edgar reached a new level of motivation and search for himself. He began to create desperately and brightly, finally believing in his own talent. Contemporaries could not even accurately determine the authorship of his works. They seemed to have been created by completely different people — using different styles, techniques, and colors. 

Degas attached particular importance to the presentation of his works. He even co-hosted an independent Paris Impressionist exhibition in 1874. This format was characterized by particular freedom, which was not done at the time and was intended to attract the public’s attention to Impressionism. Breaking away from the confines of the Salon, the artists made sure that the exhibition space played to their advantage, a background matching the color scheme was selected for each piece, the artists acted as their own critics and personally selected works for the exhibition. Degas exhibited paintings on his favorite subjects: horse racing, dancers, and washerwomen.

“The idea of the exhibition, already in the air before 1870, was picked up by Claude Monet and supported by Renoir, Pissarro, and Degas. The latter hated the spirit of the Salon and, after Manet retired from business, became the chief organizer of the exhibition. In the eyes of the young artists, Degas became, by right of seniority, the standard-bearer of independent art…” — Art historian Jean-Paul Crespel

However, the Impressionists’ expectations were not met. According to Jean Renoir, the son of the famous artist, “ridicule, insults, and slurs were poured in hail. People went to the exhibition to laugh. The characters of Degas and Cézanne, even Renoir’s charming girls, made people boil with indignation.”

Despite the unsuccessful experience of the exhibition, after the 1880s Degas reached a new level. He was already recognized and people bought his work, but the artist exhibited only in a few places. This halo of mystery attracted collectors and magazines in Paris. Nevertheless, Degas always saw a line between creating work for sale and creating for the sake of art. If we now look at these two types of work, the former seems more refined and classical, while the latter is avant-garde and unconventional. 

Later Period

The work of the later period of the artist is characterized by complete immersion in abstraction; the colors became brighter and richer, and the line became clearer and more expressive. In comparison, The Cup of Tea (Breakfast after Bath) depicts one of the artist’s favorite motifs, but already in a completely different palette and contrasts. 

During this period, Degas rapidly began to lose his eyesight, and to observe all the proportions of the girls, he made strips of markings directly on the bodies of sitters. In his last works, the artist created almost blindly. Experts say that Degas, like Monet, had progressed macular degeneration for 20 years, and because of this, these Impressionists saw their paintings differently than ordinary viewers. Using computer simulations, researchers recreated the paintings through the eyes of the artists. The result was blurry images in dim tones with barely discernible silhouettes. 

After 1912, the artist was forced to leave his studio apartment. Degas seemed to completely abandon creativity and was seen wandering the streets of Paris, almost completely blind and deaf. Occasionally he would stop by at old auctions and art exhibitions, with faithfulness to art for the rest of his life.

___________________________

About the Author:

Jean S. Hartley is a content writer in an online paper writing service, that provides quality assistance for students. Jean also enjoys local folklore and customs. She is going to blog about it on YouTube.

The post Getting to Know Edgar Degas appeared first on Art Business News.

However, others managed to handle these difficult times and switched to online. This year has been a tough one not only because of these abrupt changes but because of the effects they’ve had on people’s mental health. Not being able to travel, to meet with your friends, and needing to spend so much time inside drained some people of energy and positivity. Mental health problems are on the rise, but so are the solutions that can help people manage these times successfully.

Even though we are not allowed to travel as we did before, there are new options available. You can explore art museums, fairs, and events from the comfort of your own home. Think about the most popular museums and places and the huge queue from the entrance. Now you don’t have to wait in the queue or travel to enjoy them because a new door has opened.

We will share 8 virtual museum tours and interesting events you can attend while lounging comfortably on your couch.

1. Machu Picchu, Peru

You have probably heard about Machu Picchu and the mysteries that surround it. Built in the 15th century, this Inca citadel was later abandoned. Maybe one of the most astonishing things about Machu Picchu is the fact that it is located on a 2430-meter mountain range, in the Andes Mountains.

Taking into consideration the fact that the walls and buildings were built without mortar and they are arranged according to astronomical principles, Machu Picchu became an international attraction. More than 2,500 visitors a day and more than half a million annually were visiting this Inca citadel until 2020.

Now, you can explore the astonishing beauty of Machu Picchu and admire the panoramic views online. This UNESCO Heritage Site can be visited in 360-degree views. During this tour, you will also find out more about its history and mysteries because the voice of a narrator will tell you the story of this Inca settlement.

2. Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Who has not heard about the famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, known for cutting his ear and his unmistakable painting style? He painted over 2,000 artworks, most of them dating from the last two years of his life. Some of these famous paintings can be admired at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Here you can find out more about his life, relationship with his brother Theo, and the most used techniques in painting.

Van Gogh Museum can be explored from the comfort of your home. It represents the largest collection of artworks by this tragic painter and you can get the chance to see over 700 paintings and drawings, as well as over 750 personal letters.

3. Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is one of the wonders you must see at least once in your life. These incredible artworks created by humans in secluded and inaccessible places arouse your admiration for the human race. However, the Great Wall of China is threatened by climate change and people are trying to preserve it by offering virtual tours. If you head straight to Google’s project Heritage on the Edge and you can explore it in 3D.

4. The Louvre, Paris

We can all remember those endless and discouraging queues in front of the Louvre. It is one of the most famous and visited museums in the world, every year seeing millions of international visitors. However, due to the current restrictions, the Louvre is closed for visitors. But, exploring it through a virtual tour is now possible. You can explore Egyptian artifacts, admire DaVinci’s Mona Lisa, the statue of Venus de Milo, the Code of Hammurabi, and more than 30,000 individual artworks.

5. Guggenheim Museum, New York City

On the list of the most visited and popular museums of the world, the Guggenheim Museum ranks near the Louvre. The architecture of the museum is a monument to modernism that houses art collections and special exhibitions. Guggenheim Museum in New York is a must-see for every age, having lots of exhibitions and galleries to admire, but also amazing architecture, both inside and outside the building. Here you can see artworks by Pablo Picasso, Henri Rousseau, or Paul Cezanne.

6. Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta

Georgia Aquarium is one of the most amazing aquariums in the world. In fact, it is the largest aquarium in the western world, being the only institution outside Asia that houses whale sharks. You can explore the amazing underwater life with a live tour of the aquarium. It has seven major galleries you can visit and learn more about thousands of animals and species you can now see virtually.

7. The Broad, Los Angeles

The Broad is a contemporary art museum in Los Angeles that houses over 200 artworks of the Broad’s collection. Even though the museum generally offers free admission to its galleries, it’s now closed due to the current state of the world. However, you can virtually explore the galleries of The Broad museum, and its most popular room, the Infinite Mirrored Room of Yayoi Kusama. Now you can spend all day in the twinkling abyss of the infinite.

8. A Trip to Mars

Even though real trips to Mars are not available, NASA has teamed up with Google to offer people all over the world a virtual tour to Mars. The Red Planet has always aroused humanity’s interest and now you can explore it in a 3D Virtual Tour and find out more about its surface and history. Thanks to technology, you can explore outer space without leaving your home. How wonderful is this?

Conclusion

The world has changed, and it will continue to evolve in ways we cannot even imagine. For the moment, there are travel restrictions. And for people who love exploring new places and meeting new cultures, this is a major drawback and disappointment. However, to stop the spread of the virus, these restrictions are necessary.

Choosing to see the full part of the glass is important during these times, and it can foster more positive experiences. Virtual tours can be a saving option, especially because you can choose what iconic and historical place you want to explore. You can choose from a wide variety of historical sites, museums, aquariums, and iconic places that can be explored for free, from the comfort of your own home. Give it a try — start exploring and visiting virtually.

____________________________________

Author Bio: Michael Gorman is a highly skilled freelance writer and proofreader from the UK who offers the essay writer at a dissertation writing service and essay writing service uk. Being interested in everyday development, he writes various blog posts and discovers new aspects of human existence every day. Michael loves traveling, history, and deciphering myths of the ancient world. Feel free to contact him via Facebook or check his Twitter. 

The post Your Virtual Can-Dos: Here Are 8 Virtual Museum Tours & Interesting Events to Enjoy appeared first on Art Business News.