Joséphine Gaujelin

1858–1867

Creates “The Bellelli Family”

Degas made the first studies for the group portrait of his aunt, her husband and their children in Italy in 1858 and began the large canvas on his return to France in 1859; it was not finished until 1867. The psychologically poignant work became an early masterpiece.

1865

Debut at the Salon of 1865

The jury accepted “Scene of War in the Middle Ages”, Degas's first picture in the Salon, which attracted little attention. For the next five years he exhibited annually but sent no more history paintings.

1866

Creates “Scene from the Steeplechase: The Fallen Jockey”

Shown at the Salon of 1866, the painting signalled Degas's growing commitment to contemporary subjects. The change in his art was due chiefly to the example of Édouard Manet.

late 1860s

The turn to modern life: racecourses, milliners, laundresses

By the late 1860s Degas had moved from history painting to an original observation of contemporary life: racecourse scenes let him paint horses and riders in a modern setting, and then he turned to women at work — milliners and laundresses.

1868

Creates “Mlle Fiocre in the Ballet La Source”

Exhibited at the Salon of 1868, it was Degas's first major work to take up dancers, the subject he would become identified with. From 1870 ballet scenes appear ever more often, partly because they sold well.

c. 1868 – 1870

Creates “The Orchestra at the Opera”

Degas painted his bassoonist friend Désiré Dihau as one of fourteen musicians in the orchestra pit, as seen by a member of the audience; above them only the legs and tutus of the dancers are visible, cropped by the edge of the canvas.