NEW ORLEANS' DEGAS HOUSE MARKS THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF EDGAR DEGAS' DEATH WITH THE UNVEILING OF HIS MOST FAMOUS SCULPTURE
PRESS RELEASE: 9.27.17
Contact: Amy Barrios 504-621-5646 amy@mmsnola.com
NEW ORLEANS, LA, USA - September 27, 2017 - New Orleans' Degas House honored the 100th anniversary of Edgar Degas' death by unveiling a copy of his most famous sculpture, "Little Dancer of Fourteen Years." The 4-foot-tall bronze reproduction will sit in the front courtyard of the Degas House along New Orleans famed Esplanade Avenue. The statue is of recent vintage, cast at a foundry in Europe. It is classified as an "after Degas" rendition, and the unknown sculptor took liberties with Degas' original design.
"We want her to be a permanent fixture that really marks the moment for us, that celebrates 100 years since his death and all the life's work that he contributed in general and especially the work he did in New Orleans," said Degas House founder and Chevalier, David Villarrubia.
Two of Degas' great-grandnieces were in attendance to mark the occasion. One was Joan Prados, who's been a tour guide at the Degas House since 2003. Her sister, Micey Moyer also works as a guide.
"It's just so neat that it's now known all over the world, and we get to tell the stories about the people that were here and what happened to Degas while he was here," said Moyer.
Other notable guests included Vincent Sciama, Consul General of France in Louisiana, New Orleans City Councilman Jared Brossett and Mark Romig, President of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation.
The celebration kicked off the first of many Degas House events that will be included in marking New Orleans' Tricentennial next year. New Orleans is the birthplace of Degas' mother, and he spent time here in 1872 and 1873 creating 18 paintings, 4 drawings and 5 letters.
"New Orleans is where his career took a sharp turn. His time here may have been brief, but it was critical to his artistic development," Villarrubia said.
Degas is credited as a co-founder of the Impressionist Movement, which began for him in New Orleans. In a letter written from New Orleans in February 1873, he expressed his desire to create art that would be "less complicated and more spontaneous." That intent resulted in his emergence at the vanguard of the Impressionist movement.
The Degas House is the world's only home and studio paying homage to the great artist. A century after his death on September 27, 1917, the Edgar Degas House operates as the Degas House Museum, Courtyard and Historic Inn..
"But that's not our only mission," said Villarrubia. Since the inception of The Degas House in 1993, "Our educational mission is to restore the home and preserve the legacy of Degas for New Orleans and the world".
ABOUT the DEGAS HOUSE:
Degas House is the only home and studio of Degas anywhere in the world that is open to the public. As a museum house, Degas House features guided tours by Degas' Great Grand-Nieces, special events including wedding ceremonies and receptions, and is a historic Inn and European style Bed & Breakfast. It is also the home of the Degas House Foundation which seeks to preserve the legacy of Degas in New Orleans and provide education and cultural programming. To learn more about the Degas House: www.degashouse.com
For additional photos from the statue unveiling: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nc3g0vd9ipoqa5d/AACCq2gapOdVZqxJUTHW0jJFa?dl=0
