Artwork
Dancer Seen from Behind and Three Studies of Feet
Dancer Seen from Behind and Three Studies of Feet is a chalk drawing by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
The artist was experimenting with different techniques during this time, which is interesting because it shows how he was trying new things.
This painting is called Dancer Seen from Behind and Three Studies of Feet.
It was made by Edgar Degas around 1878.
The artist was experimenting with different techniques during this time, which is interesting because it shows how he was trying new things.
He was part of the Impressionism and Realism movements, which focused on everyday life.
This period was important for Degas as he developed his style.
You can learn more about this style by looking into the technique of pastel.
Overview
Created circa 1878, *Dancer Seen from Behind and Three Studies of Feet* is a drawing by Edgar Degas executed in black chalk and pastel on blue‑gray laid paper. The work combines a rear‑view figure of a ballerina with three separate studies of her feet, illustrating Degas’s sustained interest in the anatomy and movement of dancers.
Subject & Meaning
The composition juxtaposes a solitary dancer, observed from behind, with detailed foot studies that isolate the mechanics of ballet. By focusing on the often‑overlooked lower limbs, Degas emphasizes the physical foundation of performance, inviting viewers to consider the discipline and structure underlying the elegance of the stage.
Technique & Style
Degas employs a restrained palette of black chalk and pastel, allowing tonal variation on the blue‑gray ground to model form. The loose, gestural strokes capture the fleeting quality of movement, while the precise rendering of the feet demonstrates his command of draftsmanship. The indoor setting reflects his preference for studio observation over plein‑air painting.
History & Provenance
The drawing belongs to the period when Degas was intensively exploring ballet subjects, a theme that would dominate more than half of his output. Although specific ownership records are limited, the work is recognized as part of the artist’s late‑1870s series of studies that document his evolving approach to line, color, and the human figure.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas on 19 July 1834 in Paris, Edgar Degas came from an affluent banking family with aristocratic roots and spent his childhood among the cultivated circles of the French capital.
