Viewing Impressionists on Paper: Degas to Toulouse-Lautrec

We all know their paintings, but Degas, Cézanne, Morisot and Van Gogh also produced radical works on paper – the subjects of the Royal Academy’s new exhibition. Together, their watercolours, drawings, pastels, gouaches and temperas challenged the idea of what a finished work could be. The 77 works on show – many of which have rarely been seen before due to their fragility – elevate what would have once been deemed a preparatory study into artworks in their own right.

The portability of paper meant the artist could capture life as it unfolded in front of them, including circus acts (Toulouse-Lautrec) and dancers in motion (Degas, of course). When gazing at their work, you can almost imagine you were there yourself.