The first exhibition devoted to works by Edgar Degas, is now in the National Gallery of Canberra

The first Australian exhibition of the works of the prominent French artist Edgar Degas (Edgar Degas) is now in the National Gallery in Canberra. It includes over 120 paintings, drawings, sculpture, monotypes, prints and photographs from 45 collections around the world. Works for the exhibition came from such renowned collections as the Museum d'Orse (Paris), Museum of Fine Arts (Po, France), the Metropolitan Museum (New York), National Gallery of Art (Washington) and the Getty Museum (Los Angeles).

Early Years

Edgar Degas was born in 1834 in Paris. Being trained in the studio of French artist Louis Lamota, he created a lot of copies of famous works of the past, starting from the ancient Parthenon frieze casts to canvases by Rembrandt. Profound influence on Degas had Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres). This is a very good self-evident in the artist and images of his family members and friends who created them at the time. Another author, inspired Degas was Eugène Delacroix (Eugène Delacroix). Drama of his subjects and the complexity of the songs could not attract the young artist. That passion Degas works of old masters has identified the formation of his style for many years to come.

Races

One of the favorite topics Degas had horses and racing. This artist's passion, continuing throughout his creative career, has created a lot of drawings, pastels, and wax sculptures and paintings.

At the time, the public had been racing in France, a relatively new phenomenon. April 26, 1857 on the outskirts of Paris opened Longchamp racecourse. The spring season race has become one of the most important events in the social life of the Parisian university community: the actual races, balls and other festive events succeeded each other as in a kaleidoscope. The theme of race is in the works of Degas in the early 1860-ies. It depicts a race, carrying horses, jockeys and sumptuously dressed spectators. In early paintings Longchamp racecourse is quite recognizable. But then, with the 1870-ies of the location for scenes become less certain: Riders turn into faceless characters that differ among themselves only the color of clothing.

Degas did not like to work at the open air, unlike their fellow Impressionists. On the ground he made only small sketches and finished paintings in his atelier. In order to accurately determine the composition and lighting, he used the small wooden figures of horses.

Scenic impressions

In the mid 1870's Degas began experimenting with monotypes. He produced them in two ways. In one case, the ink and paint applied to the copper plate, a picture drawn Loskutov, brush or your fingers, and in another case, the figure was created with paint or ink applied directly to a clean plate. Many prints Degas pastel and then finished.

A well-known series of monotypes by Degas created for satirical scenes stories of his friend Louis Galevi (Ludovic Halevy), telling about the adventures of Monsieur and Madame Cardinale and their daughters - Pauline and Virginia. In addition to a series of family Cardinale, Degas monotypes also made to the deeply intimate subject: he painted naked women lying and bathers, including dweller brothels. Half-and fully unclothed girls appear on a background of luxurious kushetok, sparkling fixtures and mirrors. In the themes and compositions of these works no formalities, but they are filled with the spirit of contemporary artist living in Paris. Drawings Degas to «talk hetero» ancient Roman author Lukiana (where he illustrated the ancient story of their images sovremennits, lived, but at the same assignment as the heroine Lukiana) and «Family Cardinale» Louis Galevi exhibited in the Pushkin Museum in the late summer of them. Alexander Pushkin.

Ballet and Theater

In 1870-ies in the works came Degas ballet theme. Painting, drawing, pastels, sculptures and engravings Degas captured the Parisian ballet late XIX century in all its diversity. Initially, the artist depicted the presentation on the stage of an orchestra pit. Later, his attention is increasingly drawn to what is happening in the rehearsal rooms and backstage, where the dancers warm up, correct costumes and rested. Degas sought to show the movement, using the asymmetric compositions, voids, high skyline. He also often «cut off» borders canvases depicted figures, architectural forms and furniture. Typically, in the works of Degas has no decorations, no audience - only the artists on stage and backstage.

artist and photographer

Degas was very interested in the art of photography. The first works in this genre can be called «The Apotheosis of Degas» 1885, despite the fact that this photograph was taken by another photographer. Degas asked his friends to pose for photos, which is intended as a variation on the theme of the painting Ingres «The Apotheosis of Homer». Himself an artist of this song took the place of blind Homer's as if providya the plight of their own: at the end of the life he almost lost his eyesight.

In mid-1890's Degas began фотопортреты - their own and their friends. His complex compositions with time, he carefully studied the situation of their models, their attitudes, gestures and relationships. Degas rearrange the furniture, paintings, sculptures, created a reflection in the mirror. These methods, he borrowed from Ingres and Diego Velazquez. Also very interesting that the artist chose to photograph the evening: not in the daylight and in artificial. He needs the light of the state, he sought through the wall lamps, chandeliers and candelabra.

Towards Abstraction

Degas actively engaged in creative work, even in the last years of his life. He drew inspiration from those images that are developed during the previous years: convert them and create new variations.

One of his favorite themes were Bathers. Degas depicted women washable, dry after bathing, hair. He also frequently drew prachek. During this period, the artist began to use coal, sometimes rastsvechivaya his pastel or colored pencil. These figures are no longer resembled accurate, detailed sketches, which he did in his youth. Shown to them rather monumental female figures, and even something like Amazons.

From about 1890 began to change and texture paintings Degas. Smears are made bigger, and then he even started to put paint on a canvas with your fingers, using the style of Venetian masters. Gradually, due to the simplification of forms and colors limiting figures in the works of Degas became increasingly abstract.

exhibition at the National Gallery in Canberra gives viewers an excellent opportunity to see works, which embodied all of your favorite artist themes - ballet, opera, horse, Bathers, laundress, women from brothels.

attracted attention, and other interesting aspects of creativity Degas raised in the exhibit - the impact on the French artist's caricatures, yaponizma, literature and theater. Organizers tried to trace the development of Degas as an artist, as well as his desire and ability to experiment, which ultimately led to the formation of mature, characteristic style, which distinguishes it from all other authors.

exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia, the training which lasted for almost three years, will continue until March 22, 2009.

material produced Catherine Onuchin

Sources: nga.gov . au , artdaily.com , artinvestment.ru