Edgar Degas (July 1834 - September 1917) was a French artist famous for his paintings, sculptures and drawings. He is especially identified with the subject of dance; more than half of his works depict dancers. He is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism, although he rejected the term, preferring to be called a realist.  He was particularly adept in depicting movement, as can be seen in his renditions of dancers, racecourse subjects and female nudes.  To this day he is simply one of the most popular artists form the late 19th, early 20th centuries.