Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Edgar Degas (French Artist)

Edgar Degas (1834–1917,) Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas, was a French painter and sculptor, known as a founding member of the Impressionist movement. His work focused on the human form, particularly the female figure, evolving from early somber portraits to studies of laundresses, cabaret singers, and dancers.

Born in Paris to a wealthy family, Degas initially studied law but later pursued art, enrolling at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His early works were influenced by Renaissance traditions, but he soon adopted new techniques, emphasizing movement in his subjects, including dancers and racehorses.

Degas is best known for his depictions of ballet dancers, such as The Ballet Class (1874) and The Rehearsal (1874,) which showcase his mastery of motion and the human form. His interest in movement extended to works such as The Racecourse (1885) and The Bathers series (1886–1900.) Although associated with the Impressionists, Degas preferred realism, blending Impressionist light and color with classical form. A pioneer in pastels, he created works such as Dancer with a Bouquet of Flowers (1878) and was celebrated for his sculpture Little Dancer of Fourteen Years (1881.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Edgar Degas

Everyone has talent at twenty-five. The difficulty is to have it at fifty.
—Edgar Degas
Topics: Talent, Difficulty

There are some women who should barely be spoken to; they should only be caressed.
—Edgar Degas
Topics: Women

Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do.
—Edgar Degas
Topics: Ignorance, Ability

Taste! It doesn’t exist. An artist makes beautiful things without being aware of it.
—Edgar Degas
Topics: The Artist

A lofty idea must be had, not of what one is doing, but of what one may someday do. Otherwise there is no point in working on.
—Edgar Degas
Topics: Ideas, Doing Your Best

Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things.
—Edgar Degas
Topics: Knowledge

There is no such thing as Intelligence; one has intelligence of this or that. One must have intelligence only for what one is doing.
—Edgar Degas
Topics: Intelligence

What a delightful thing is the conversation of specialists! One understands absolutely nothing and it’s charming.
—Edgar Degas
Topics: Professionalism, Experts

You must have a high concept not of what you are doing, but of what you may do someday. Without that there’s no point to working.
—Edgar Degas

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