Degas and New Orleans!
Degas created 18 paintings, 4 drawings and 5 letters while here in New Orleans in 1872 and 1873. Also, Portraits in an Office, The New Orleans Cotton Exchange painting, the only painting to sell to a museum in Degas' lifetime, was painted here! However, the most important of his New Orleans accomplishments was his change in artistic style, creating (in his words), "Better Art", and re-prioritizing the goal of his youth, to begin a new art movement. This came to pass one year after leaving New Orleans and on his return to Paris, at the birth of the Impressionist Movement of 1874 and beyond!
Maisons des Ilustres! The Houses of the Illustrious!
Degas House is the only home or studio of the French Impressionist Master Edgar Degas, in the world, and is now included in the French Ministry of Culture's network of the Maisons des Illustres or Houses of the Illustrious. Degas House is now in the company of 236 houses in the global network, including the houses of Napoleon, Joan of Arc, Monet, Matisse, Renoir, Ravel (the composer), Louis Braille, Marie Curie, Louis Pasteur, The Chateau of Monte Cristo, French President Mitterrand, President de Gaulle's, Jules Verne; Albert Schweitzer; Victor Hugo; Cezanne and Nostradamus.
Degas House is only the second house in the U.S to be included in the network and is one of only four included that are not in France or one of the French territories!
In a ceremony at the Degas House on July 15th, 2019, French Ambassador Philippe Etienne presented the official marker of the Maisons des Illustres and remarked that the Degas House is now a monument or an institute. The marker was unveiled by the French Consul General, the French Heritage Society, the Lt. Governors Office, the City of New Orleans Mayor's Office, as well as the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce representatives, in a ceremony on October 23rd, 2019. The marker is positioned on the front porch of the house, where it will remain in-perpetuity.
The Degas House being named as a French Landmark, is very proud and humbled by this distinction as we continue our 24 year tradition of service and excellence. Future plans also call for the establishment of the Degas Institute and French Cultural Center.
For more information, look for the Maisons des Illustres marker (red) and the Illustration Board on the front porch of the main house.
The Degas House Today
"Louisiana must be respected by all her children and I am almost one of them..."
Edgar Degas, December 5th, 1872, New Orleans
The Degas House operates as a Historic Museum House, featuring guided tours by Degas' Great Grand-Nieces;
We also host Weddings, Receptions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Parties, Meetings, Lectures and Painting Classes;
Degas House also operates as a Historic, Legacy Bed and Breakfast.
For further information, please email us at info@degashouse.com or call 504-821-5009. You may also view our YouTube Channel entitled Degas House, like us on Instagram @degashouse or go to our Facebook Group page under Degas House.
