What Degas Saw gives children insight into the quotidian inspiration that Degas found on the wide boulevards and narrow streets of Paris—its light, denizens, quiet corners and lively din. “He wanted to find a way to capture the beauty of the passing moment. … All across busy Paris he studied movements of people at work and play.” In his work, he strove to depict “the city’s push and pull, its run and jump, its lean and stretch. “
Words by author and MoMA curator Samantha Friedman, with aquatint etching illustrations by Cristina Pieronpan. What Degas Saw accompanies an exhibition at MoMA entitled Edgar Degas: A Strange New Beauty. It’s on view until July 24 for those of you NYC dwellers.