How did Edgar Degas influence Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse?

Edgar Degas is recognized as a complex and innovative figure who served as a vital link between traditional academic art and the radical movements of the early 20th century. While he is widely credited with influencing Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, the specific mechanisms of this influence are rooted in his role as a restless innovator who set the pace for younger generations of artists.1

Degas’s impact on these masters stems from his status as one of the finest draftsmen of his age and his willingness to experiment with diverse media, including oil, pastel, and monotype. In his later years, his work evolved toward simplified forms and vivid colors, which helped pave the way for the stylistic shifts seen in 20th-century figurative art. By bridging the gap between established traditions and modern experimentation, Degas provided a foundational influence for the artistic evolution of both Picasso and Matisse.1