Wise Democrat backed French painter (5)
I believe the answer is:
degas
'french painter' is the definition.
(Edgar Degas)
'wise democrat backed' is the wordplay.
'wise' becomes 'sage' (similar in meaning).
'democrat' becomes 'd'.
'backed' says the letters should be written backwards.
'sage'+'d'='saged'
'saged' reversed gives 'DEGAS'.
(Other definitions for degas that I've seen before include "He produced works of art" , "Edgar --, French artist" , "Edgar --, French painter and sculptor" , "Edgar ---, Fr. impressionist" , "Edgar -, French impressionist" .)