Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"Dancers" (1896) by Edgar Degas is a quintessential masterpiece showcasing the artist's profound fascination with the world of ballet and his unparalleled ability to capture movement and grace. This painting is a stunning example of Degas' work with pastel, a medium in which he excelled, allowing for delicate and vibrant depictions of his subjects.

The painting "Dancers" features a dynamic and intricate portrayal of ballerinas backstage or in rehearsal, captured in various stages of preparation and performance. The composition is busy yet harmonious, characterized by its use of soft, diffused light and muted yet rich colors—typical of Degas' pastel technique.

Foreground: In the foreground, a group of young ballerinas is seen. Their tutus are rendered in delicate shades of white, blue, and pink. The texture of the tutus is almost palpable, exhibiting Degas' skill in rendering fabric with pastels. The figures are in various poses—some adjusting their costumes, others stretching or tying their shoes—conveying a sense of candid immediacy and anticipation.

Background: In the background, the scene fades into darker and less detailed areas, giving an impression of depth and an atmospheric sense of space. Other figures are suggested rather than detailed, their vague forms providing a backdrop that enhances the prominence of the central dancers.

Lighting: Degas employs a keen understanding of light and shade, using them to highlight the dancers' forms and create a lively yet intimate vignette. The interplay of light gives the scene a sense of three-dimensionality and focuses the viewer's eye on the intricate details of the dancers' posture and movement.

Brushwork and Technique: The medium of pastel allows for both fine lines and broad strokes, which Degas masterfully combines. The delicate hues and the fluidity of the strokes enhance the sense of motion and transient beauty characteristic of ballet. The detailed rendering of the dancers' muscles and the interplay of light on their skin captures their physicality and elegance.

Edgar Degas (1834-1917) was a French artist famous for his works in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and drawing. He is especially well-remembered for his depictions of dancers, which comprise over half of his oeuvre.

Artistic Movements: While Degas is often associated with the Impressionist movement due to his focus on contemporary subjects and interest in capturing the effects of light and movement, he preferred to consider himself a realist. His work is characterized by meticulous draftsmanship and an emphasis on composition and figure drawing, differing somewhat from his more impressionistic peers.

Original Painting: The original "Dancers" in pastel can be found in the collection of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. The museum houses several other works by Degas, but this piece particularly exemplifies his mature style and his deep engagement with the theme of dance.

Career Context: This painting, executed in 1896, comes from Degas' later period, a time when his eyesight was deteriorating, yet his mastery of pastel was at its peak. This period saw Degas embracing even bolder compositions and more innovative uses of color and form. His dancers are less about the individual and more about the collective beauty and ephemeral quality of the ballet, a motif he returned to tirelessly.

- Gesture and Movement: Degas' attention to the naturalistic portrayal of gesture ensures that each dancer is captured in a moment of fluid movement, contributing to the lifelike quality of his work.
- Spatial Composition: The way Degas composes his figures within the space gives a sense of the crowded, lively atmosphere typical backstage at a ballet.
- Emotional Resonance: The painting does more than capture physical beauty; it evokes the dedication and ephemeral nature of the dancers' art.

"Dancers" by Edgar Degas is a stunning example of his ability to capture the essence of movement and beauty within a deceptively simple scene, reflecting both his technical skill and his deep affection for the ballet.