Edgar Degas

Born in 1834 in Paris, the French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas is especially identified with the subject of dance; more than half of his works depict dancers. He was also famous for his pastel drawings and oil paintings. Although Degas is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism, he rejected the term, preferring to be called a realist, and did not paint outdoors as many Impressionists did.