Madame Cardinal during the Dance Class by Degas

With a sharp eye for the backstage of the Paris Opera, this lively work entitled “Madame Cardinal during the Dance Class” celebrates the art of Degas Edgar. This scene fits into the heart of the impressionist movement, of which the artist is one of the major figures. The work captures the fatigue, waiting, and efforts of young ballerinas in a sunlit exercise room. The off-center framing offers a new and spontaneous perspective on the demanding discipline of dance.

In the foreground, an elderly lady in a blue dress and yellow hat is seated in profile facing toward the left. Her hands hold a small newspaper which she reads attentively, while a young student with long golden hair stands on the right of the image. Behind them, an old, bald ballet master observes the young dancers who are practicing actively in the background of the class. On the left of the image, ballerinas in light tutus perform a difficult arabesque on the floor, while their slender silhouettes are reflected in the large mirror. Soft natural light warmly illuminates this spacious room with its extremely lively and dynamic composition.

The mastery of gouache and watercolor on silk reveals the exceptional technical skill of the artist. The fluid and precise brushstrokes suggest the airy movements of tutus and the weight of the wooden furniture. This work of great freshness demonstrates his drawing genius.