The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer
Original title: The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas's sculpture 'The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer' was cast in bronze in 1922, and its tutu was renewed in 2018. It shows a young girl in a ballet pose, combining partially tinted bronze with textiles such as cotton tarlatan, silk satin, and wood.
Description
Against a grey background, a young dancer stands on a wooden base. Her bodice shimmers golden and has a buttoned front; the beige-gold tulle skirt falls in soft waves. Long boots cover her legs. The dancer's gaze is directed slightly upward. Centrally placed, the view is captured by even, shadowless light, suggesting a studio photograph. The realism of the bronze is complemented by the delicate texture of the tulle and the gentle tint of the bodice, adding a romantic touch.
Context
Degas created the sculpture around 1880; the version shown here is a posthumous cast from 1922. Exhibited in 1881 at the Impressionist Salon, the original provoked controversy because it was considered excessively realistic and unconventional. In 2018, the tutu was renewed to secure its condition and restore its original appearance.
Impact
Bronze and fabric give the figure an unusual liveliness. It underscores the fragility and at the same time the strength of the young girl. The realism and the soft tulle texture evoke an intimate, almost wistful mood that draws the viewer into the world of ballet.
Technique
Partially tinted bronze, cast using the lost-wax method, forms the core. The tutu made of cotton tarlatan and silk satin is attached to a wooden framework. This combination of metal and textile is rare and demonstrates Degas's experimental approach to sculpture.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)