The Rehearsal Onstage

The Rehearsal Onstage by Edgar Degas, executed between 1871 and 1877, is a key work reflecting the artist’s lifelong fascination with the world of the Parisian ballet. Classified formally as a drawing, this complex piece was created using pastel over a foundational brush-and-ink sketch on thin cream-colored wove paper. The delicate nature of the initial support necessitated stabilization; the paper was laid down on bristol board and subsequently mounted on canvas, a layered technique that allowed Degas to marry the precision of line work with the shimmering, atmospheric qualities unique to pastel.

The subject focuses on women dancers captured during a candid, unguarded moment in rehearsal, contrasted sharply by the presence of a lone male figure, likely a choreographer or instructor, who anchors the scene near the wing. Degas specialized in these unconventional, asymmetrical compositions, often employing abrupt cropping and unusual vantage points to convey a sense of immediacy, effectively placing the viewer directly within the practice space rather than the audience seating.

This piece underscores Degas’s shift toward modern realism during the 1870s, prioritizing the rigorous professional effort of the performers over idealized performance views. His mastery of light and form through dry media vividly captures the dynamic movement and subtle tension present in the room. Reflecting the artist’s enduring commitment to chronicling modern Parisian life, the work is a significant drawing housed in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). Though the original is a highly protected artifact, high-quality prints derived from the extensive public domain collection are frequently referenced by art historians studying Degas's pivotal depictions of dancers.