Maddison Wright
Intro to Art History
10/1/2013

Differing Artists

Every artist is known for something in particular and special about their art work. Edgar Degas (who passed away in the early 1900’s) seems to have an interesting niche in his drawings.  He is well known for sketching dancers even when they’re in motion. Edgar Degas was a French artist who was always related back to the impressionist movement even though he preferred the public saw him as a realist artist. He thought of himself as a spontaneous artist who became influenced by past artists, letting the backgrounds of his works emulate a classic feel. Degas’ art works feel freeing and non stressful.

Another famous artist known as Diego Rivera (husband to Frida Kahlo) was not part of the impressionism movement yet a part of another important time period, the Mexican Mural Movement. His murals exhibit bold colors with the ancient Mexican influences. Many of his works were presented in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. Rivera’s art pieces tell stories of hispanic culture and should always be appreciated when viewing his works. 

Though these two well established artists differ immensely in their lives and art, they both share the common thought of creating these works based on their passion and strive to be a part of a movement. Edgar Degas was based more on taking whimsical passion and turning it into deliberate paint strokes (with his sculptures, prints, paintings, and drawings) whereas Diego Rivera had a passion for painting murals to tell people of the stories through the hard working, nurturing hispanic culture. Whether painting or drawing, any artist (amateur or famous) can find a way to display what type of person they are and what they want to show the world through strokes of color. 

by Edgar Degas

by Edgar Degas

by Edgar Degas

by Diego Rivera

by Diego Rivera

by Diego Rivera