Paris in the 1870s and 1880s was a vibrant, exciting place. At its artistic centre was Edgar Degas whose fascination with all things modern resulted in stunning paintings of racecourses, theatre and ballet scenes. Degas's art became a beacon for a group of Italian artists living in Paris, including Giovanni Boldini, Federico Zandomeneghi, Guiseppe de Nittis and Medardo Rosso. These artists were brought together not only by the common bond of friendship and a love of all things Italian but also by a mutual admiration and a passion for experimental art which resulted in extraordinary and powerful images. This book explores for the first time the relationship between Degas and his Italian friends and shows how he inspired each of them in their individual quests to capture modern life.