Study of a Ballet Dancer (recto); Two Studies of Dancers (verso)
Original title: Study of a Ballet Dancer (recto); Two Studies of Dancers (verso)
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas made this ballet dancer around 1873 as an oil study with opaque watercolor on prepared pink paper. Unlike many of his finished dancer paintings, the figure here stays sketchy and caught on the spot, with a turquoise tutu as a striking accent.
Description
The dancer holds a moving pose, one leg slightly lifted, arms gracefully raised. The skirt ends in a fluffy turquoise hem that stands out clearly against the plain, single-color ground. Gray tones dominate the picture, interspersed with turquoise and a delicate pink that comes from the paper.
Context
In the 1870s Degas devoted himself increasingly to ballet and often sketched dancers during rehearsals or performances. The pink paper was among the materials he used in his studio for quick studies. This work belongs to a series of dancer studies that served as preparations for larger paintings.
Impact
The flowing, lively brushstrokes make movement and lightness palpable, while the restrained color choice creates a calm, familiar mood. The sheet seems to have emerged from a moment and captures the dancer's grace in a fleeting instant.
Technique
The study is executed in oil and opaque watercolor on prepared pink paper. The visible brush marks and the interplay of oil and watercolor produce a layered surface that emphasizes the movement of the fabric and the dynamism of the pose.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)