Edgar Degas's 10 Key Paintings Reveal Social Realities and Artistic Evolution

The artistic evolution of Edgar Degas encompasses both early historical pieces and scenes from modern life in Paris. His initial significant work, The Bellelli Family (1858–1867), features his aunt Laura Bellelli alongside her relatives. After being influenced by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Degas transitioned to contemporary themes, as seen in A Cotton Office in New Orleans (1873), which he exhibited in the 1876 Impressionist Exhibition alongside Claude Monet and others. His depictions of ballet, such as The Dance Class (1874) and Dancers Practicing at the Barre (1877), illustrate the discipline and exploitation within the art form. Acknowledging his Realist identity, he portrayed urban struggles in In a Café (The Absinthe Drinker) (1875–1876). His works, including Woman Ironing (1876–1877) and After the Bath (c. 1895), emphasize the vulnerabilities of working-class women. Degas's innovative style is evident in Landscape with Smokestacks (c. 1890), with his paintings located in the Musée d'Orsay and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.