Dancer with a Fan (ca. 1890–95)
Original title: Dancer with a Fan
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas made this drawing around 1890–95 using pastel and charcoal on buff-colored wove tracing paper. It shows a dancer holding a large fan, caught in a lively pose.
Description
A woman in a dance pose stands in the foreground, holding a large, brightly colored fan in her right hand. She wears a long, flowing dress with a floral pattern in pink and yellow; her hip tilts slightly, and her arm lifts the fan to the side. Short dark hair and bare feet emphasize the casual nature of the scene. The background consists of blurred, colorful strokes that suggest a landscape or setting. Frontal light highlights the figure's outlines and the texture of the fabric.
Context
This sheet belongs to Degas's late work, in which he focused intently on dance and movement. After 1880 he turned increasingly to pastel and charcoal on paper, leaving oil painting behind. The dancer with a fan refers to the Paris ballet and the entertainment culture of the Belle Époque. Degas was known for unusual angles and snapshots, often executed from memory or after sketches.
Impact
The bold colors and the animated pose create an immediacy that seems to capture the moment of the dance. Warm tones of the dress meet cooler background colors, producing a tension that remains balanced. The loose, sketchy execution gives the figure lightness and weightlessness.
Technique
The sheet is executed in pastel and charcoal on buff-colored, wove tracing paper. This technique allowed Degas quick, spontaneous strokes and delicate color transitions without the need for a primer. Charcoal for contours, pastel for color and texture—this combination gives the sheet particular depth and luminosity.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)