Degas - Interior. Degas' paintings owed something to photography but they leave many unanswered questions as was becoming more common with the ethos of modernism, the quality of light heightens the brooding sexual tension. The room may be small but there is a large void between the figures. The painting was considered so unsettling with its ambiguous narrative that at the time that it became known as "The Rape"

Degas - L'Absinthe, one of Degas' memorable compositions, strong diagonals, limited palette, use of mirrors (again) and the unclear subject. Though the models were his friends the painting has the appearance of an unposed snapshot. The painting was hugely controversial at the time and the English press held it up as an example of French moral degradation.