Ballet Rehearsal on Stage

Authour: Edgar Degas

Date: 1874

This painting was done by Edgar Degad. He was known to be a painter and sculpter from France. Some of his greatest works involved impressionism. He was also known for his portrayal of movement. This is an oil painting. In this painting Degas captures the "romance of the ballet" according to many despcriptions of the painting. He trully was able to create a clear depiction of movement as well as depth and emotion. The colors in the painting help bring out, possibly the agony of the dance as well. As we have learned, ballet wasnt necessarilly the most "romantic" dance. It was more so strenuous and arduous. That background information, makes the painting doublefold. While it does serve as a painting that praises the dance, I see pain. I dont think they look happy. The other irony is that it is such a graceful dance however to perform it, requires alot of physical pain. So to the eye this may be a beautiful scene, a candid moment in ballet. However, I think that Degras captured something else, he captured a moment that to me shows hurt. They dont look happy to me, they dont look like they are enjoying it either. It does seem as if they are focused but "romance of the ballet" I dont quite see.