French painter Edgar Degas (1834 – 1917) was famous for his pastel drawings and oil paintings though he also created bronze sculptures, prints, and drawings. Degas is considered to be a founder of Impressionism though he rejected painting outdoors and portraying natural light. Degas completed paintings in his studio that originated as sketches of living models. His body of artwork celebrated ballet, with more than half of his pieces depicting ballet dancers. The artist was intent on capturing poses as natural and spontaneous as a photograph. Degas' studies of female dancers are celebrated as supreme masterpieces.
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