Seated Dancer

Seated Dancer by Edgar Degas, created between 1873 and 1874, is a highly accomplished preparatory drawing that exemplifies the artist’s dedication to capturing the female form in movement. The work is executed in graphite and charcoal, skillfully heightened with white chalk, which allows Degas to emphasize the volume of the skirt and catch the light on the figure’s shoulders. The artist chose pink wove paper, providing a warm and subtle ground that contrasts with the dark, expressive lines. Crucially, the surface of the drawing is marked with a grid, having been "squared for transfer," indicating that this study was intended to be scaled up for a larger canvas, print, or pastel work.

The drawing offers an intimate, unguarded view of a ballerina, positioned backstage or during a rehearsal break rather than in a formal performance. Degas was renowned for his nuanced depictions of women involved in the strenuous and demanding world of ballet, focusing less on theatricality and more on the reality of the dancers' labor. This focus on informal moments cemented his reputation as a keen observer of contemporary Parisian life. The drawing demonstrates Degas’s mastery in capturing complex poses and the textural quality of the costume elements.

As an essential part of the artist’s corpus, this Seated Dancer drawing provides invaluable insight into Degas's rigorous process and technical precision. The piece currently resides in the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Because the artwork dates from the 1870s, it often features in cultural initiatives; high-quality images of this drawing are commonly released into the public domain, enabling widespread access for scholarship and the creation of fine art prints.