How did Edgar Degas portray daily life in Paris?

Edgar Degas was widely celebrated for his innovative portrayals of Parisian life, focusing on the human figure within both glamorous and gritty settings. Rather than painting landscapes, he specialized in capturing the sights and subjects of the modern world, often through a lens of sharp observation and technical mastery.123

His depictions of daily life included:

• The World of Ballet and Theater: Degas frequently painted rehearsal and performance scenes at the Paris Opéra. These works often featured "through-the-keyhole" glimpses of backstage activity, which were considered radical for their casual, sometimes scurrilous nature.45
• Urban Realism: He explored the lives of various social classes, including laundresses, milliners, cabaret singers, and prostitutes. His work often highlighted the awkwardness or exhaustion of his subjects, such as his depiction of a tired laundress elevated to near-Classical grandeur.13
• Modern Social Scenes: Degas captured off-guard moments in Parisian bars and cafes, such as in his famous painting In a Café (also known as Absinthe), which presented a truthful, if controversial, snapshot of modern urban life.6
• Leisure and Entertainment: His repertoire included horse races and circus performances, reflecting the interests of a newly mobile society.463

Degas utilized unique compositional techniques, such as "cut-off" framing influenced by Japanese prints and photography, to create a sense of spontaneity that made his scenes feel like modern snapshots.56