Dancer with a Fan is an expressive drawing created by Edgar Degas between 1890 and 1895, characteristic of his mature style prioritizing dynamic movement and color. This striking work is executed using pastel and charcoal applied to buff-colored wove tracing paper. Degas frequently turned to pastel in his later career, finding that the medium allowed for a rapid, layered application ideal for capturing the elusive energy of his subjects.
The subject is a solo female figure, captured in an instant of action or perhaps a spontaneous moment during a rehearsal. Degas, known for his relentless focus on dancers and the world of the Paris Opéra Ballet, renders the woman's form with a loose, atmospheric technique. The charcoal quickly establishes the underlying structure, while the vibrant pastels emphasize the texture of the costume and the dramatic sweep of the large fan she holds, which acts as a powerful compositional anchor.
This piece offers insight into the artist’s methodology, demonstrating his rigorous study of the human form and the physical demands placed upon women in the ballet profession. It is classified as a drawing, yet the richness of the medium elevates it beyond mere preparatory work. This essential example of Degas’s dedication to the ballet genre resides within the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. High-quality prints of this acclaimed masterwork, reflecting Degas’s enduring popularity, are frequently made available through public domain digitization efforts.
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