Artist succeeded, getting on towards the top (5)

I believe the answer is:

degas

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'artist' is the definition.
(painter Edgar Degas)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for degas that I've seen before include "He painted dancers" , "Edgar ---, Fr. impressionist" , "Edgar -, Fr. artist" , "French artist known for his ballet scenes, d. 1917" , "French painter of ballet girls etc" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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