Degas ballet

Degas was nicknamed the “painter of dancers”. From 1860 onwards, he developed a fascination with dance, which was originally discovered at the Paris Opera, where he spent much time backstage. As a result of his interest, his paintings portrayed the dancers in private behind-the-scenes moments, as well as during their performances on stage. Take a look back over the love story between the artist and his tutu-clad muses.

experienced12: Edgar Degas

Learn about the elements and vocabulary of art. Lines and shapes are essential elements of painting. How you use them in art strongly affects the composition and overall feeling of the painting.

Exhibition dates: 24th June – 18th September 2016 Edgar Degas (French, 1834-1917) Finishing the arabesque 1877 Oil and essence, pastel on canvas 67.4 x 38cm Musée d’Orsay,…

Degas made various adjustments to this composition, presumably to accommodate the violinist in his final design. He added strips of paper at the top and to the right, and there is evidence to suggest that he may have altered the dancer's pose

Life was cruel to ballet dancers in 19th-century France, and they didn’t have it much easier at the hands of Impressionist painter Edgar Degas.