(After) Edgar Degas, Dancer (Danseuse), Bronze

Description:
This bronze sculpture is inspired by Edgar Degas's iconic Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, one of the most celebrated works in 19th-century art. Capturing a young ballerina in a graceful pose, the figure evokes both strength and vulnerability. This three-dimensional representation reflects Degas’s fascination with movement and the human form, particularly the elegance of ballet dancers.

Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: Height: 44 cm
Condition Report: Overall good condition.

About the Original:
Degas's Little Dancer Aged Fourteen was the only sculpture exhibited during his lifetime and is now considered a groundbreaking work of modern sculpture. The model, Marie van Goethem, was a young student at the Paris Opéra Ballet. Posed in the fourth ballet position with arms behind her back and a lifted posture, the sculpture conveys control, serenity, and physical prowess. Despite its acclaim today, the piece was controversial upon its debut in the 1881 Impressionist exhibition, revealing much about the chauvinistic societal norms of late 19th-century Europe.

About the Artist:
Edgar Degas (1834–1917) was a French Impressionist painter, sculptor, and printmaker celebrated for his depictions of Parisian life. Degas’s works frequently explored themes of movement, capturing the grace of ballet dancers, the intimacy of women at their toilette, and the dynamic energy of modern urban life. A pioneer of Impressionism, Degas's sculptures, including Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, further solidify his legacy as a master of the human form in art.