Edgar Degas began to paint early in his life, having his own studio at home. He graduated in 1853 from the Lycée Louis-le-Grand. In April of 1855, Degas received admission to the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, where he studied drawing with Louis Lamothe. In 1856, Degas traveled to Italy, where he drew and painted copies from artists of the Renaissance. It was during this period that Degas became accomplished in the techniques of high, academic, and classical art. After returning from Italy, Degas continued his education by copying paintings at the Louvre; he was to remain an enthusiastic copyist well into middle age. He later developed a passion for photography and would use his photographs as references for his paintings.