Thanks to Netgalley and Europe Comics for the ARC of this graphic novel.

This is a unique graphic novel, as the illustrations are in the style of Edgar Degas pantings, which helps emphasise the mood and atmosphere of Degas life, which I think was lonely and dark. This is a story of the interesting relationship between Degas and Cassett.

This graphic novel has different points of view it has; Degas developing his style and finding his muse. It explains about the Impressionist Movement and how it got its name. There is also the point of view of Mary Cassett and what it was like being a female artist in the late 1800's.

I found it fascinating the way Degas decided to paint ballet dancers, he wanted to capture their grace and power. He also painted prostitutes, but he didn't see them as that, as he wanted to paint them in an elegant way. Degas wanted his art style to be different to anyone else's and show the viewer a true depiction of the people.
Degas was so blind-sighted by art, he truly dedicated his life to art and painting to the point he denied himself of love and a family, or anything he would consider a distraction which i found quite sad as he only found joy in painting and refused to find it anywhere else. When Mary came along she fell in love with Degas but Degas was in denial about this.

He truly does do the dance of solitude.

I highly recommend this for anyone interested in Art or the Impressionist Movement or French art or are fans of Degas. I will say there are some adult nudity scenes so just be careful as there is no warning. Not suitable for young ones who are interested in art.

Thanks to NetGalley, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story of Edgas Degas, a French artist. This was an okay read to me particularly because I liked his relationship with Mary Cassatt.
The illustrations were lovely and looked like oil paintings.

This is a graphic novel about Edgar Degas and his contemporaries, including his friendship with Mary Cassat (whom I discovered thanks to this book). Such an interesting book about impressionism and the illustrations were simply gorgeous! The biographies of both Degas and Mary Cassatt were super interesting to read and so informative! Degas has been one of my favourite painters since I can remember and I adore his ballerinas. I did not know any of Mary Cassatt's artworks but they are so beautiful too.

ps: why is this book not on goodreads? or at least I was unable to find it.

Edgar Degas was a French artist famous for his pastel oil paintings of mostly women and ballerinas. He is a founder of impressionism, but he didn’t like to be called an impressionist painter. This graphic novel tells the story of his relationship with painter Mary Cassatt. They had similar tastes and views on art. They were both single, independent, and never married. This graphic novel depicts Degas as a pretty unusual and grumpy character, which he was.

Art is very beautiful. Illustrations are impressionistic and look like Degas’s oil paintings.

The plot can be slow sometimes, but I think those who appreciate art will like this look at Degas’s life.

Thanks to Europe Comics for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review, and all opinions are my own.

An interesting look, accompanied by evocative art, at the relationship between Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt. This book wasn't for me. I appreciated all of the information, but the dialogue and narration felt overly expository in a way that made it a bit of a bumpy read. I understand why it was there, but I think the amount of nudity was excessive for classroom use. The ending also felt bizarre--I wasn't sure why the narrative didn't end where the opening pages suggested it would. The additional pages just felt like a very strange epilogue and a chance for more nudity without furthering the plot. I was sorry I didn't like it more, because I did think the concept was great. However, the book hammered home the fact that Degas was a terrible person so effectively on every page, that it was hard to stick with him for one life episode after the next.

This book is a lovely work of art, apart from being an interesting biography of sorts, of both Degas and Mary Cassatt. The panels are drawn in a beautiful Impressionistic style, with several paying homage to great works of art. I learnt quite a lot about the various factions( such as they were) of art in the late 19th Century, and what they believed in, and Degas' part in uniting them against the rigid Salon des Beaux Artes. I didn't know much about Mary Cassatt, and her close friendship with Degas, and she isn't depicted merely as a sidekick- she led a full and complete life, and her paintings depicting mothers and children are not shown to stem from similar desires herself, she was perfectly happy with her life as an artist. Degas was a complicated ,rather unpleasant man, and this work isn't a hagiography, it's meant to show him as a person,and how he evolved his unique style. Fascinating read, and a labour of love clearly, with each panel a glowing work of art

I received eARC through NetGalley for review purposes - thank you so much for making this available.

I am an artist and interested in Degas and Cassatt, which led to checking out this title, without realizing this is a graphic novel and not an art history book. My rating is reflective of my lack of interest for English graphic novels, which is no fault to the author or publisher - I just wasn't right target (apology to follow)
The artwork is done in a similar pastel style that was used by Degas and Cassatt, which was enjoyable. The story seems to be heavy-handed, darkly imaginative and dramatic and didn't particularly appeal to me.

One might enjoy this if there is an interest in art history and enjoy graphic novels. I only fit for the first part, that is all. This was all my fault though, and I will be more careful in choosing ARC next time and not just jump into it by the title alone.

Thanks to NetGalley, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

In another life I would have likely pursued a degree in Art History. And in that life I would probably still be working in libraries making an okay living instead of, I don't know, curating the Met? My artistic skills aren't for anyone to witness but my sketchbook, so delving into the history surrounding the paintings and sculptures I love is the next best thing. That's what drew me to this graphic novel, but what kept invested in it was the humanizing depiction of the grumpy Degas.

A year or two ago I read Salva Rubio's graphic memoir of Monet's life, Monet: Itinerant of Light. It was a 3-star read for me. My biggest take away was, despite his breathtaking plein air landscapes and that cute picture book we read in art class about him being a kindly old man, he was a total dick to his first wife.

Degas and Cassatt seemed likely to make a similar impression, however, Rubio manages to make a privileged, pretentious, spoiled young man somehow...relatable? Sympathetic? The first half of the story focuses on Degas as a burgeoning young master who takes advantage of the Impressionists in his proximity to get out of the Salon. He cannot stand the bohemian Impressionists, but neither can he bear the limitations of the Salon. Ambitious and anxious, he finds his place by painting people rather than landscapes, becoming particularly engrossed in depicting dancers at the Paris Opera.

When Cassatt enters the picture, everyone in their circle assumes they're destined to be. She, somehow, can stand the conceited older man who loathes her dogs and sometimes snatches brushes out of her hand to "fix" her canvas. They become friends and at time, collaborators. He allows her to accompany him to ballet practice where she sees he's not a leering creep, but a grandfatherly figure to the impoverished ballet "rats."

Their friendship and its highs and lows become the central focus of the plot for the latter half of the book. I was totally unaware of their relationship, so it was a cool experience to witness how they influenced one another. I see many others say the pacing is slow, however, I found it to be appropriate especially considering the span of years covered.

The artwork that illustrates this story is other worldly. Rubio obviously takes great pains to make us feel as though were are immersed in a Degas or Cassatt painting. The use of airy colors, his depiction of light and texture, all do so much work in setting the reader in the late 19th century-early 20th.

In comparison to Rubio's earlier Monet book, I found Degas and Cassatt's depictions a lot more sympathetic. It was a pleasure to read and I look forward to his next opportunity to cover the life of a great master.

A really charming graphic novel depicting Degas and his contemporaries, as well as his friendship with Cassatt. The story itself was enjoyable but what took it over the top were the gorgeous illustrations that embodied the impressionist masters. I only wished it was a little longer and we heard more of Mary’s prospective!

2.5 stars! I greatly enjoyed the artwork which is simply beautiful. However, the book is brought down by the writing which often felt dry and a bit overwhelming with how much information in throws at the reader. If anyone not very familiar with art history and this particular art scene was to read the book, I fear they would be very confused and not understand who many of these characters/artists were. I think the graphic novel would flow a lot better with a lighter script and more context or narration to inform the reader and better educate them on each artists in the story.

Thank you, NetGalley for the chance to read and review this.

This was a very pretty book. I feel like the illustrations were really appropriate given the artists featured in this book; Degas, Cassat and Monet. While the book really focuses on Degas and his life, one that was getting more and more lonely, I loved that Cassat had was such a strong presence.

A beautifully illustrated look into Edgar Degas' life as a painter. The story goes back and forth between his point of view and that of fellow painter Mary Cassatt's. It was a great look into his life and was made all the better by the fact that I coincidentally got to view some of his artwork at the Norton Simon Museum the day before reading this.

5/5 Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this graphic novel. I haven’t read very many graphic novels as an adult, but thoroughly enjoyed this one.
I really like Degas’ work and enjoy learning something about the person behind the art. This was a nice way to get a flavor of his life without committing to a full, written biography.

The story is told from two points of view: 1) Mary Cassatt who had a long tumultuous artistic relationship and friendship with Degas & 2) Degas himself. It quickly goes through Degas’ adult life and his major influences and how he developed his style. It goes through the Impressionist Movement and how it got its name; how the Impressionists fought against the Art Salons of the time and eventually won; how this fight affected Degas, his friendships, and his art.

The illustrations in the book are thoughtful and beautiful; and demonstrate the story well. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Degas and the Impressionists.

I've always loved paintings. Not making them, just looking at them, admiring them, exist with them. So it was no surprise that when I read that title I clicked right on.
Both Degas and Cassat have astonishing works.
This graphic novel takes their interesting relationship and convinces it with amazing impressionist art.
It felt incredibly melancholic and yet just right.
If you love the history of art, if you love this style or even if you are looking for a nice, well-finished, and teary story this may be it.
Really liked this one with my heart.
5/5
Maria Lourdes.

A fever-dream of a comic about the life, art, and philosophy of Edgar Degas. Watch his art style evolve with his interactions with other artists and through his travels. Several famous impressionist artworks make a modified cameo in this entertaining read. Language and content make this best suited for upper middle school grades and older. Beautiful artwork paired with insights into the artist’s life makes this mini biocomic a bit reminiscent of the movie ‘Loving Vincent.’

thanks to netgalley for the advance copy and to the author, to be honest the book has very good illustrations, they made me beautiful because of the illustrator's way of drawing but for me the problem was the story, I felt it was somewhat boring and slow.

Beautiful , simply beautiful, I’m finding it hard to put it into words. the story is so moving, so sad. This is a biography of Degas and Cassatt , while I love their art, I never knew their stories before, this covers relationships, their art, scandals, friendships, and what they suffered for art. I thoroughly recommend this to anyone who loves art, Degas and Cassatt or just a beautiful story

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

It so beautifully done, I don't have enough words to describe the style! And the story itself is deep and sad. It is a biography of two painters, their relationships, insight into Impressionist and their scandals, some strange sorts of friendships, ambition and utter loneliness. I really loved it

Young Edgar Degas was the epitome of reserved as he began his artist career, working to discover his style while spurning the bohemian ways of the popular artists of the time. Determined to reject the Salon's influence, he has to work with the bohemian artists to further his career, beginning the Impressionist movement.

Around this time, Degas meets American Mary Cassatt. A fellow painter, the two form a comfortable bond but Degas never made an attempt to court her, or any woman. 'Degas and Cassatt' explores the full extent of their lives and aims to discover the mystery that was Edgar Degas.

The artwork is gorgeous. Efa's style is beautifully emotive, using highlights perfectly to depict the character's feelings, especially in Degas' eyes for the close-ups. All the images are in full-colour pastels but muted to suit the period.

However, while the imagery is encapsulating, the text, including the dialogue, feels formulaic and contrived, rather like the only point of it is to set out the plot. Although, the story of Degas and Cassatt is comprehensive and informative, which suits the non-fiction genre.

I feel like this was set up to be an interesting story, but the editorializing of the facts just didn’t do it for me. I ended up getting kind of bored and it felt not quite complete. I guess the relationship they wanted to discuss just didn’t amount to much in real life so it was hard to show that in an artistic form. Content warning for nude art. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.