On Stage I

1870s

From “de Gas” back to plain “Degas”

The archives disproved the legend of an ancient noble line: the artist's paternal ancestors were bakers, and the name “de Gas” was invented by his father, who commissioned a false genealogy. In the 1870s Edgar returned to the plain spelling, Degas.

1873–1874

His brother's debts: he sells his house and collection

After his father's death Degas learned that his brother René had run up enormous business debts. To save the family's reputation he sold his house and an inherited art collection and for the first time in his life depended on sales of his own work.

1874

The first Impressionist exhibition

Disenchanted with the Salon, Degas joined a group of young artists organizing an independent exhibiting society. He took a leading role in organizing the eight shows of 1874–1886 and exhibited in all but one, despite constant conflicts with the group.

13 February 1874

Goncourt notes Degas's laundresses and dancers

Edmond de Goncourt wrote in his diary that Degas had chosen laundresses and dancers as his chief modern subjects, finding in their fabrics an occasion for light and delicate tones. After visiting the studio he called Degas the man who best caught the soul of modern life.

second half of the 1870s

Pastel becomes his main medium

Degas increasingly chose pastel, often combining it with monotype, lithography, etching or gouache. To keep the colour from darkening under ordinary fixatives he devised his own method of fixing and applied pastel in layers.

1877

Friendship with Mary Cassatt

Degas invited Mary Cassatt to show in the third Impressionist exhibition, having admired her portrait “Ida” at the Salon of 1874. He introduced her to pastel and engraving, while she helped him sell paintings and promoted his reputation in the United States.