Dancers from the Maine State Ballet posed for visitors and sketch artists Thursday at the Portland Museum of Art to help the museum celebrate the life and work of Edgar Degas.

The museum has opened a new exhibit on the French artist with more than 100 of his drawings, prints and pastels.

Degas (1834-1917) is considered one of the founders of Impressionism and is best known for his depiction of the human body in movement. Over half of his work depicts dancers, often shown backstage or in rehearsal.

The exhibit, “Edgar Degas: The Private Impressionists,” will be on view in the museum’s first floor galleries until May 28.