Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas (1834 - 1917), born Hilaire-Germain is known for his painting, sculpture, printmaking and drawing. He is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism, although he rejected the term, and preferred to be called a realist.

 Edgar Degas, Young man with velvet beret, copy after Rembrandt 

A superb draughtsman, Degas is especially identified with the subject of the dance, and over half his works depict dancers. These display his mastery in the depiction of movement, as do his racecourse subjects and female nudes.

 Rembrandt van Rijn, Young man with velvet beret, etching, 1637

His portraits are considered to be among the finest in the history of art.