IMPRESSIONISM CONTINUED THE ANALYSIS OF A PAINTING BY DEGAS
“THE DANCING LESSON” Truth & Dancers Another main artist that took
ballerinas practicing in front of their
part in the Impressionism
prof. The prof is in the center of the
Movement is the one and only,
image observing the dancers before
Edgar Degas. Degas was known for
him. At first glance, the eye is
his talent in paintings, sculptures,
automatically drawn to closest
printmaking and drawing, but
dancer in the foreground with her
rejected the term as a
back turn to the viewer. The reason
“Impressionist”. He believed he was
she is noticed first in a sea of
a Realist which is why his works
ballerinas, is due to the contrast
were composed
from the flower in
mainly of
her hair and the
people instead
darker bow on her
of the popular
back. The eye then
impressionist
moves clockwise
landscapes, but
around the image
still stayed true
taking into account
to accuracy and
all the various
direct
dancers. Finally, the
observation.
eye stops at the
His main focus
prof. Degas uses
in subject
consistent colors
matter were
throughout the
ballet dancers,
piece which creates
which in total equal to half of his
the great balance, with the exception
artworks, along with female nudes.
of the closest ballerina. The use of
The first painting in his series of 40
pastel colors and a great use of
pieces of art concerning the subject
white contribute to the unity of the
of dance was “The Dancing Lesson”
overall piece. For example all the
(1880). The painting is composed of
dancers are in white, have similar
a dance rehearsal. An image you
color bows that reflect to the wall
could see in most ballet studios. The
color used in the studio. As stated
painting takes place in a dance
above, the painting is composed of
studio with multiple young female
high contrast due to the white used. [Pick the date] [Edition 1, Volume 1]
“They call me the painter of dancers. They don't understand that the dancer has been for me a pretext for painting pretty fabrics and for rendering movement.”
- Degas
THE ANALYSIS OF A PAINTING BY DEGAS
The darker contrast used for the
respected that one must be
rest of the group). This division in
frames around the doors and pillars,
completely engaged when one is
subject matter causes the eye to
frames the image well. Having all
present. Shape plays a large role in
observe the painting in two parts
the dancers very similar like the
the realism portrayed in the
which relates to the space used in
dark ties around all of their necks
painting. The use of lines on the
the painting. Lastly, texture applied
creates the viewer to see them as a
frame work and molding of the
in the ballerina’s outfits adds the last
group and not individually. At first
walls adds perspective and depth,
detail of realism. When observing
glance, one cannot help but feel
which then adds effectiveness and
the two closest ballerinas, one cannot
intrigued due to the dancers’ faces
corresponds to the strong belief in
help but notice their outfits and the
all not being directly visible to the
accuracy in Impressionism
photograph-like representation of
viewer, but then once seen, the
paintings. As well, the use of lines of
their tutus. When observing one can
viewer cannot help but feel bored
the floor plans adds even more
notice the see-through fabric a real
due to their facial expressions. The
realistic depth to the painting.
ballerina’s outfit is made of
dancers are looking away from the
Degas’ piece is divided into two
represented in the painting. From
prof and what seems to be not
horizontal panels, one being the
the texture of their outfits, their
paying attention. Which is strange
closest subject matter (two ballerinas
bows, the fan, the dog, and the fold
because Ballet Profs are so well
on the piano) and the other being the
in the prof’s suit, realism is
further subject matter (the prof and
portrayed.
Written by Jessica Eve Shetler