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Study in the Nude for The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer

Original title: Study in the Nude for The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer

Artist

Edgar Degas

Date

modeled ca. 1878–80, cast 1920

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

28-1/2 x 13-11/16 x 12-1/4 in. (72.4 x 34.8 x 31.1 cm.)

Credit line

H.O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H.O. Havemeyer, 1929

kurzbeschreibung

This bronze shows a young woman standing upright, knees slightly bent, arms relaxed at her sides. Edgar Degas modeled the nude study around 1878–80 as preparatory work for his well-known sculpture The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer; it was cast in bronze in 1920.

Description

A nude young woman stands straight, gazing upward, her head turned slightly to the right. Her arms hang loosely, and her legs are slightly bent, creating a natural, unforced pose. The realistic style reveals muscles and a detailed skin surface. The figure rests on a flat, square bronze base. Light falling from the front emphasizes contours and textures; patina covers the surface with shades of dark and light brown.

Context

This nude study was made in preparation for The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer, which Degas first modeled in wax around 1880. The bronze casts were produced only after the artist's death in 1920, when the original waxes were posthumously transferred to bronze. In the study, Degas' interest in movement and posture—pursued in numerous sketches and sculptures of dancers—becomes evident.

Impact

The realistic rendering and natural pose make the statue seem immediately alive. Patina and the play of light on the surface give it a sensual presence that captivates the viewer.

Technique

The sculpture was cast in bronze, a material Degas used for his later casts. The surface has a patina resulting from aging and treatment, giving the figure a warm, worn appearance.

AI-generated description text

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)