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Article: Degas: The Pure Line of Genius; At the Met, a Stunning Survey of a Hypnotic, Elusive Master
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- October 16, 1988
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Subtle Edgar Degas-that experimental realist, that aristocrat of
line-was among the most amazing of 19th-century French painters. In
terms of visual intelligence, Manet and Ce'zanne were his only real
peers. But neither drew as he did. Degas was the most accurate and
gifted draftsman of his age. Tortured Vincent van Gogh had more
sun-bright passion, but Degas is not cold. There is fire in his
fineness. And unlike, say, Renoir, he made no ugly pictures. His
early works on view are as telling as the last ones. Degas, like
Picasso, was brilliant from the start.
You have until Jan. 8 to see the Degas exhibition at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art. True, the galleries are jammed; true,
tickets ...