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Edgar Degas

Group of Dancers (Groupe de danseuses)

c. 1900
Oil pastel on three pieces of paper pieced together and adhered overall to thin paperboard
57.8 × 41 cm (22.8 × 16.1 in)

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In the collection of Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia — check current display status with the museum.

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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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