Study of a Nude (Dancer at the Barre)

Description

Study of a Nude follows a dancer stretching at the barre, her bent torso and extended leg forming a taut, continuous curve. Repeated charcoal lines trace the effort of the pose and give the still figure a sense of movement.

Edgar Degas returned to dancers’ working gestures throughout his career. In this study, dated 1884–1900, the warm support and spare setting leave the body’s balance and the artist’s searching line at the center of attention.

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