Backstage pass

A glimpse into the moments before dancers take the stage

Often called ‘the painter of dancers', Edgar Degas is estimated to have completed approximately 1,500 pastels, paintings, prints and drawings on the theme. Yet among these works, very few depict codified movements of classical dance performances. Degas preferred to study and depict their gestures in various stages of tension and relaxation, painting them as they wait backstage or in the wings or performing their repetitions in the studio. 

It is rare that Degas' dancers actually dance. Dancers in Blue reveals a group of ballerinas' backstage during a rehearsal or performance. The color of the costumes in the foreground is the title of this pastel, while in the background, dancers dressed in yellow almost merge with the scenery. Always true to his aesthetic, Degas preferred unique viewpoints rather than monotonous symmetry, hidden but precious moments before or after the show rather than the action on stage. With a characteristic lack of restraint, Degas shows with accuracy and subtlety the strict discipline of his young dancers' lives.

Dancers in Blue is currently on display in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow.

26" x 26" gallery wrapped canvas art print arrives ready to hang, with no additional framing required. Every canvas print is hand-crafted in the USA, made on-demand and expertly stretched around 100% North American Pine wood stretcher bars.