Degas by Himself: Drawings, Prints, Paintings, Writings

by Richard Kendall (Editor)

This beautiful volume offers an astonishingly rich and detailed view of one of the greatest French artists of the 19th century, Edgar Degas (1834-1917) is primarily associated with the Impressionists, the group which did most to fashion a truly modern tradition in European painting. Yet his superb mastery of form and composition, even when apparently at his most spontaneous, marks out Degas as a profoundly original talent whose reputation continues to grow to this day. Degas by Himself is a unique approach to the work of this remarkable figure. In addition to color illustrations, the book draws on a range of sources — the artist's own notebooks, and letters, as well as anecdotes and memoirs from his circle of friends and acquaintances — to trace a vivid portrait of Degas at every stage of his long career. These sources reveal intimate aspects of Degas' life and personality. Long out of print, the documents bring us as close to the artist as the paintings and drawings he so often describes in his correspondence; the reminiscences and reported remarks conjuring up an unexpected picture of the artist as a man of wisdom and good humour whose wit and irony inspired many of his friends to write down his words for posterity.

Richard Kendall is a professional art historian, teacher and painter specializing in nineteenth-century French painting. Other publications include Degas 1834-1984, marking the artist's 150th anniversary, The Impressionist Revolution (contributor), Monet by Himself and Cézanne by Himself.

Genres: Art

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Lăcră Grozăvescu]

“Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things.”
― Edgar Degas

[Sarah Murphy]

Nice big book. Detailing degas's life and art.

[Amey]

Inspiring!