"The Singer in Green," Edgar Degas, c. 1884. Degas (1834-1917) is normally grouped with the Impressionists, although he didn't identify as one and regarded himself as a Realist. One thinks he's blowing smoke here; his style is definitely Impressionist, even if he didn't paint outside as they did. His subject matter was mostly dancers and entertainers. He did start off as a meticulous naturalist, depicting his subjects and forms very realistically, but as he aged and his career evolved, he merged more into an Impressionist mode. In the 1880s, when this was painted, he was growing more abstract in his forms and was experimenting with vibrant and saturated colors, like the turquoise elements of the model's costume. In his time, his work attracted both admiration and contempt, and his later embrace of antisemitic views (and other right-wing views) hurt his reputation. His longtime friend Mary Cassatt clashed with him over this, and was amused when a collector exhibited their work together in support of women's suffrage. From the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. #Art #EdgarDegas #Impressionism #WomenInArt #Singer