Dancers in the Wings by Degas

The brilliant impressionist painter of theatrical life Degas Edgar beautifully captured the moments of rest and abandon of performers in his masterpiece temporarily titled “Dancers in the Wings”. This pastel of great narrative complexity shows a group of ballerinas resting away from the public eye. By avoiding the artificial theatricality of classic ballet poses, the artist focuses on the natural gestures of young women exhausted by physical effort.

Four elegant ballerinas dressed in tutus of delicate sky-blue and pale yellow hues are distributed asymmetrically in the wings of the theatre. On the left, two dancers stand, one holding a closed fan, seemingly conversing in very low, hushed voices. In the center, a third ballerina sits on a dark box, her head gently resting on her left arm in a dreamy, weary and melancholic posture. To the right, a fourth young woman bends forward, carefully stretching in the lush green and blue painted stage scenery. The soft, warm raking light beautifully illuminates the vaporeuse textures of their elaborate dresses.

The artist’s absolute mastery of pastels is visible in the exceptional rendering of the tulle’s airy texture and the delicate skin tones of the models. Degas Edgar excels in organizing this complex and modern composition. This magnificent work testifies to his genius for capturing the hidden poetry of daily life.