In the collection of Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia — check current display status with the museum.
FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG
Degas captures three ballerinas backstage during a performance. One rubs her foot while the others crowd around; bright stage lighting falls on their bare arms and shoulders. The three overlapping bodies and their gauzy tutus fill the space of the composition, merging into a field of electric yellow. Degas had a subscription to the Paris ballet, which allowed him behind-the-scenes access. He studied dancers intently and revealed the art form as grueling physical labor.
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Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec — Ballet Dancers
Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917) — Dancers
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec — At the Cirque Fernando, Rider on
Troy Kinney (American, 1871–1938) — Adeline Génee
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner — Six Dancers
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec — Danseuse assise aux bas roses
Alexandre Lunois (French, 1863–1916) — Le Ballet
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864–1901) — Miss Ida Hea
Pierre Bonnard — Les Danseuses
Alexandre Lunois (French, 1863–1916) — Ballet Dancers
Pierre-Auguste Renoir — The Dancer
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec — Spanish Dancer
