Artwork
Dancers at the Old Opera House
Dancers at the Old Opera House is a pastel drawing by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1877 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Dancers at the Old Opera House is a drawing by Edgar Degas, created around 1877. It is executed in pastel over monotype on laid paper, a technique that gives the work a distinct texture.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a group of dancers at the Old Opera House, capturing their various poses and elegant attire. The scene conveys a sense of warmth and vibrancy, with the dancers' figures being the primary focus.
Technique & Style
Degas used pastel over monotype on laid paper, combining the expressive qualities of pastel with the unique texture of monotype. This technique allowed him to achieve a sense of depth and visual interest in the drawing.
Context
The work reflects Degas' recurring interest in capturing figures in motion, particularly dancers, which was a common subject in his oeuvre. As an artist associated with Impressionism, Degas' focus on everyday life and movement is evident in this drawing.
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.
