A Life Immersed in Movement Edgar Degas, born Hilaire-Germain-De Gas in Paris on July 19, 1834, remains one of the most intriguing and complex figures in French art history. Often associated with Impressionism, a label he actively resisted, Degas was fundamentally a realist—a meticulous observer of the world around him, dedicated to portraying it with startling honesty and a unique visual language. His early life, comfortably bourgeoi…