Why do some Edgar Degas paintings have cropped figures and unusual viewpoints?

Edgar Degas utilized cropped figures and unusual viewpoints as a deliberate artistic strategy to overturn traditional compositional rules and capture the spontaneity of modern life. His approach was shaped by several key influences:12

• Japanese Prints: Degas was significantly influenced by the arrival of Japanese color woodcuts in the West. These prints featured "cut-off" compositions—where subjects are dramatically chopped off at the frame—which Degas adopted to create more dynamic and modern arrangements.123
• Photography: The aesthetic of the camera, which often captures off-guard, "snapshot" moments, heavily informed his work. By placing subjects off-center or leaving large areas of "blank" space, he created compositions that felt like immediate, truthful glimpses into contemporary life rather than staged academic scenes.124
• Intentional Planning: Despite their spontaneous appearance, these works were meticulously planned. Degas was an outstanding draftsman who prepared assiduously through numerous drawings, using these radical perspectives to draw the viewer's eye into the scene, such as through the use of receding floor planks.12

By combining these modern techniques with his traditional training, Degas gave everyday life a new, elevated status.12