Degas and the Dance: A New Book by Kendall and DeVonyar

A new book, 'Degas et les danseuses' by Richard Kendall and Jill DeVonyar, published by Skira Flammarion, explores Edgar Degas's fascination with ballet dancers, photography, and cinema. DeVonyar, a former ballet dancer, co-authors the volume, which is timed to complement the Royal Academy of London's Degas exhibition (through December 11) and the upcoming Musée d'Orsay show on Degas and the nude. The book reveals that Degas became a passionate photographer late in life, initially engaging with photography as a challenge. His ballet paintings capture movements that photography of the time could not due to lighting and exposure limitations. His horizontal formats mimic panoramic effects from early photography. The text is thoroughly researched and includes numerous reproductions of paintings and photographs.