Dimensions: 41 x 26 x 25 cm
Signed on the base: 'Degas'
Foundry stamp: 'CIRE | C. VALSUANI | PERDUE', dated, described and numbered: '1998', 'Reproduction' and '6/M'
Condition
certificate of authenticity of the Valsuani foundry
Biography
Hilaire-Germain-Edgar de Gas (Degas) was born in Paris on July 19, 1834, into a family with aristocratic roots. He initially studied law, but soon abandoned this field of study and entered the walls of the École des Beaux-Arts as early as 1855. During this period, he copied the works of the great masters and repeatedly visited the Louvre in Paris. Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres became his artistic mentor. Despite his individuality, Degas always remained faithful to tradition, which he modified in his own way. In 1856-59 he stayed in Italy. He studied there and visited numerous museums. Upon his return, he began his experiments with sculpture, probably influenced by the works of Renaissance and Mannerist artists he saw in Italy. In 1865 he presented his painting for the first time at the Paris Salon, where he has exhibited regularly ever since. In the early 1870s, he participated in the Franco-Prussian War and visited his mother's family living in New Orleans with his brother René. At that time, he increasingly turned to pastels, bringing this technique to perfection. Starting in April 1874, he regularly exhibited his works with the Impressionists. In 1881, during the Sixth Exposition, his wax composition "Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer" was presented. In the late 1880s Degas became interested in photography, which was becoming increasingly widespread. The influence of this medium can be seen brilliantly in his drawing, painting and sculpture works. Degas lived and worked in Montmartre, an iconic district of Paris for the turn of the 20th century. Toward the end of his life, in 1912, he moved to an apartment building located at 6 Boulevard de Clichy, where he died in 1917. Charles Baudelaire once described the artist as "a painter of modern life." Degas faithfully depicted the reality around him. Ballet dancers, women and horse racing were the subject areas that mainly interested the artist.
