Dancer Holding her Right Foot in Her Right Hand
Original title: Dancer Holding her Right Foot in Her Right Hand
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas modeled 'Dancer Holding Her Right Foot in Her Right Hand' before 1910; the bronze cast was made in 1920. Unlike many of his ballet studies, which tend to be more static, this sculpture captures a moment of extreme tension: a nude dancer lifts her right leg and grasps her right foot with her right hand. The work demonstrates Degas's enduring interest in ballet and in rendering movement in three dimensions.
Description
A nude dancer is shown raising her right leg and seizing her right foot with her right hand. Her arms are stretched wide, underscoring the dynamism of the pose. The figure stands on a flat, irregular base that appears unworked and natural. The surface bears the cracks and unevenness typical of bronze casting. Light falling from the left accentuates contours and structures, while the background remains a solid, neutral tone.
Context
The model was made before 1910, during a period when Degas turned increasingly to sculpture. The 1920 cast was posthumous, as the artist died in 1917. Throughout his life, Degas devoted himself to the theme of the dancer, exploring it in paintings, drawings, and sculptures. In his later years, his eyesight declined, bringing tactile and sculptural qualities to the fore.
Impact
The sculpture radiates an immediate energy, heightened by the outstretched arms and lifted leg. The rough surface and raw base give it an expressive, almost impressionistic note. The nude body in this unusual pose appears simultaneously graceful and powerful.
Technique
Bronze casting allows for a detailed reproduction of the surface. The textured quality, with its cracks and unevenness, results from the casting process and subsequent working. At approximately 49.8 x 34.0 x 27.9 cm, the figure remains compact yet still conveys a strong expressive force.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)