Degas's Ballerinas: Movement, Pastels, and the Little Dancer
Edgar Degas, recognized as a key figure in Impressionism but who identified more with 'Realism,' is celebrated for his depictions of ballet dancers, emphasizing their movement and attire. His work 'The Dancing Class' (c. 1870, Met Museum) showcases Joséphine Gaujelin and highlights the commercial appeal of ballet scenes. 'Musicians in the Orchestra' (1872, Städel Museum) underwent revisions later on. In 'The Foyer of the Opera at Rue Le Peletier' (1872, Musée d'Orsay), he portrays instructor Louis François Mérante alongside ten ballerinas, with the opera house tragically burning in 1873. 'Rehearsal of a Ballet on Stage' (1874, Musée d'Orsay) garnered acclaim at the inaugural Impressionist exhibition. By around 1880, he began exploring colors and pastels. At the 6th Impressionist Exhibition (1881), he unveiled 'The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer,' which highlighted themes of poverty and exploitation.
Key facts
- Degas was a founding Impressionist who preferred 'Realist' or 'Independent'.
- His first ballet scene, 'The Dancing Class' (c. 1870), features Joséphine Gaujelin.
- Degas chose ballet subjects partly because they were easier to sell.
- 'Musicians in the Orchestra' (1872) was later enlarged and revised.
- The opera house at Rue Le Peletier burned down in 1873.
- 'Rehearsal of a Ballet on Stage' (1874) uses chiaroscuro alluding to photography.
- The painting was praised by Giuseppe De Nittis at the first Impressionist exhibition.
- Around 1880, Degas shifted to brilliant colors and pastels as his dominant medium.
- Police once visited Degas's studio due to ballerinas coming and going.
- 'The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer' was exhibited at the 6th Impressionist Exhibition in 1881.
- The sculpture was made of wax with real hair and a cloth tutu.
- The model, Marie van Goethem, was a 'petit rat de l'opéra'.
Entities
Artists
- Edgar Degas
- Giuseppe De Nittis
- Louis François Mérante
- Joséphine Gaujelin
- Marie van Goethem
- Ambroise Vollard
- Charles Garnier
- Paul Trachtman
Institutions
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Städel Museum
- Musée d'Orsay
- Pushkin Museum
- Opéra de Paris
- Gymnase
- Smithsonian Magazine
- DailyArt Magazine
Locations
- New York
- NY
- USA
- Frankfurt
- Germany
- Paris
- France
- Moscow
- Russia