Saint Sebastian
1857
Before he became the master of ballet dancers, a young Edgar Degas was busy mastering the old masters in this striking 1857 sketch. He tackles the classic martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, capturing the saint's agonizing yet ecstatic upward gaze as arrows pierce his shoulder. Notice how Degas meticulously renders the muscular torso and face, leaving the legs almost ghostly and unfinished—a technique that hints at his future focus on capturing movement and essence rather than perfect polish. It's a fascinating glimpse into the artist's academic roots before he revolutionized modern art.
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