The Dance Class 2 by Degas

This masterpiece in oil on canvas, painted by the famous French painter Degas Edgar, is temporarily titled “The Dance Class 2” and beautifully illustrates the recurring theme of choreographic rehearsal. Belonging to the Impressionist and realist movement, the painting offers a fascinating plunge into the laborious world of the Paris Opera. By focusing on the moments of waiting and concentration that precede the effort, the artist profoundly renews the traditional approach to group portraiture and genre scene.

The composition opens in the foreground on the left on a large dark wood music stand where a sheet music rests, flanked by the silhouette of a cello. Nearby, two young ballerinas standing in white tutus adjust their outfits, one of them sporting a bright red flower in her dark hair. In the center, a dancer performs an elegant arabesque, while on the right, the elderly ballet master Jules Perrot observes the group while leaning on his cane. The background reveals stands crowded with attentive mothers and resting dancers, while a large wall mirror reflects the clear light of an invisible window.

The artist shows here an exceptional technical virtuosity in arranging a complex composition, rhythmically structured by bold diagonals and almost photographic frame croppings. His ability to use the mirror to double the space and diffuse the natural clarity bears witness to a craftsmanship that was entirely innovative for his time.