Youth with Arms Upraised

Description

Youth with Arms Upraised by Edgar Degas follows the long stretch of a standing figure, from the widely planted feet to the hands lifted above the head. Black chalk and pencil give the torso a gentle sense of volume, while the spare background keeps the pose clear and direct.

Dated 1859–60 or 1861–62, the study belongs to Degas’s early exploration of the human figure. The extended limbs and subtle shifts of weight turn a simple stance into a careful study of balance and movement.

Read our guide to giclée prints or browse the Edgar Degas collection.