Three Studies of a Dancer in Fourth Position

Three Studies of a Dancer in Fourth Position by Edgar Degas French, 1834-1917, is a pivotal drawing created between 1879 and 1880. This work exemplifies the artist's dedication to capturing movement and form, a signature characteristic of his extensive studies of the ballet. The composition features three distinct, dynamic poses, allowing Degas to meticulously analyze the subtle shifts required to achieve the precise fourth position fundamental to classical training.

The technique employed in this drawing is exceptionally complex and sophisticated for a study. Degas utilized charcoal and pastel, applied with stumping to achieve soft gradations and rich volume. Further definition and depth were added through touches of brush and black wash, all executed on grayish-tan laid paper notably embedded with blue fibers, which was subsequently laid down on a gray wove paper support. This commitment to layered mixed media highlights the artist's innovative approach to rendering light and shadow. Working in France during the height of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, Degas documented the rigorous, often unseen world of the Opéra and ballet schools, treating the preparatory stages of dance as a serious subject worthy of high art.

This meticulous study is invaluable for understanding the preparation stages for Degas’s later, more polished paintings and sculptures of dancers. The format, capturing transient moments of physical exertion, epitomizes the master's dedication to realism. Today, the original work is securely housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. While the drawing is unique, high-quality archival prints of Degas's extensive oeuvre are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring the broad accessibility of the master’s work worldwide.