Degas: A Passion for Perfection

Denverites have a rare opportunity to view over 100 works created by French artist Edgar Degas during the period from 1855-1906.  The Denver Art Museum is the only American venue for this exhibit, which runs through May 20.  Advance ticket purchases are recommended.

“Degas:  A Passion for Perfection” includes works that showcase the artist’s use of a wide variety of media and techniques.  Visitors can see drawings, sculptures, etchings, and monotypes, as well as many paintings.  There is even a recreation of what his attic studio looked like, so realistic that you can readily imagine him sitting at hit table, topped with wine bottles, sketches and charcoal sticks, while easels, small sculptures and partially completed canvases fill the remainder of the cramped space.

Many of the themes for which Degas is known are evident, including   horses, bathers, dancers and theater.  He often depicted commonplace, behind the scenes moments, such as a dancer adjusting a ballet slipper, or a laundress with a toothache. Degas wrote “I assure you no art was ever less spontaneous than mine”, and it’s interesting to see so many of his preparatory pencil sketches, and even grid lines on some works that he used to help him achieve the proper proportions.

You don’t want to miss this opportunity, so be sure to plan ahead to visit the Denver Art Museum before May 20.