Why is Edgar Degas associated with the Impressionist movement?

Edgar Degas is associated with the Impressionist movement primarily because he was a prominent member of the group who shared their radical belief that painting should engage with the sights and subjects of the modern world.12

By 1870, Degas was a familiar figure in independent art circles in Paris, frequently meeting with avant-garde artists such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Like his Impressionist colleagues, he adopted a lighter palette and utilized more abrupt, simplified compositions, often influenced by the popularity of Japanese prints.2

However, Degas remained a distinct figure within the movement. Unlike many Impressionists who focused on en plein-air (outdoor) landscape painting, Degas preferred working in his studio and often expressed disdain for improvised outdoor studies. His work was characterized by a deep focus on the human figure—particularly ballet dancers and women in intimate settings—and he is credited with bridging the gap between traditional academic art and the radical innovations of the early 20th century.213