“Compared to the other Impressionists, Edgar Degas was more of a traditionalist. The Frenchman didn’t paint en plein air, his color palette was subdued for much of his career and his spontaneity was painstakingly rehearsed. With a fascination for human anatomy reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci, he would do countless studies for one single painting. All the effort was certainly worth it, as few artists captured the transience of human movement better than he did.“
Continue Reading at
Artschaft: “Edgar Degas and The Ballet Class (1871-1874)“
Click for Enlarged Detail
Slideshow best viewed At Sunnyside
Details
- Title: The Ballet Class
- Date Created: 1871 – 1874
- Provenance: Bequest of Count Isaac de Camondo, 1911
- Physical Dimensions: w750 x h850 mm
- Painter: Edgar Degas
- Original Title: La Classe de danse
- Credit Line: © RMN (Musée d’Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski
- Type: Oil on canvas
- External Link: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/collections/works-in-focus/search/commentaire_id/the-ballet-class-3098.html?tx_commentaire_pi1%5BpidLi%5D=509&tx_commentaire_pi1%5Bfrom%5D=841&cHash=9c5465005f
- Image source wikimedia commons
Hat Tip
Thanks to Yvonne at adding further insight into the painting in the comment section. ❤️
As a former ballet teacher I find this painting especially interesting from a dance technical point of view. It gives a fairly realistic glimpse (as other paintings by Degas also do) into the daily life of ballerinas in the late 1800’s. The teacher portrayed is the famous choreographer Jules Perrot. He, together with Jean Corailli,created the ballet Giselle in 1841. And Giselle, to this very day, remains a gem in any classical ballet company.
Yvonne Beumkes, website Dance Images in the Art of the Netherland
Thanks for Visiting 🙂
~Sunnyside
At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet 
Thank you so much for mentioning my blog! I really appreciate it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure! Thank you for writing such an interesting and informative blog – truly a gem. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, I feel the same way about your blog! It’s a treat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️😎
LikeLike
I’m a Degas fan 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can understand why – he is becoming one of my favorites, too. Thanks for visiting, Rosaliene. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this painting!
LikeLiked by 2 people
So do I, Wendi – though I don’t know if I could ever pick a favorite. So many! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 yes, I understand…….. love your blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness!! This is now my new favorite painting!! Thank you for all the details to help me slow down and notice the beauty 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so glad you like it, Jennifer! I grew to love this one as I spent time with it, too. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
LikeLike
Love, love, love this painting. So surprised I haven’t seen it before. Thank you for introducing me to it. My favorite part is the duck feet of the prominent ballerina. I know she must be in some form of second position, but I like to think I am not the only former ballerina with duck feet. Ha! I was, also, surprised that the instructor was a man. Maybe he was a benefactor of the arts???
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol….Agree! Degas certainly recorded all the details of hypermobility, like the ballerina scratching her R scapula with her left hand. I have great respect for all ballerinas, past and present. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. You sure know your art! How did that come about???
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am purely an amateur finding joy in one painting at a time since 2018. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! That is love and dedication to the arts. May I request a painting? If so, The Kiss (I believe it’s called). That’s one of my favorites! I used to ask for a throw that had the painting on it every Christmas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Klimt? Check my featured posts at the top of my blog. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this fabulous painting. As a former ballet teacher I find this painting especially interesting from a dance technical point of view. It gives a fairly realistic glimpse (as other paintings by Degas also do) into the daily life of ballerinas in the late 1800’s. The teacher portrayed is the famous choreographer Jules Perrot. He, together with Jean Corailli,created the ballet Giselle in 1841. And Giselle, to this very day, remains a gem in any classical ballet company. Thanks for your very enjoyable post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Yvonne! Thanks for adding such interesting information about the painting. 🙂
LikeLike