Edgar Degas remains one of the last understood artist of his generation: a very private man who scorned publicity, and whose works, while almost universally admired, all fall short of revealing the man himself. Although he is Known for his depiction of modern subjects - racecourse scenes, café-concerts, ballet dancers, bathes- his was a classical art based upon drawing and a long study of the masters. And although he exhibited with the Impressionists, who were primarily landscape painters, Degas sought to salvage the figure as the central subject of painting. This new biographical and critical study offers fresh insights into the art, working methods and relentless eye of Degas.
324 illustrations, 121 in full color.