Dancer Seen from Behind and Three Studies of Feet c. 1878

Edgar Degas's pastel drawing, *Dancer Seen from Behind and Three Studies of Feet*, c. 1878, captures the ephemeral beauty of ballet. The piece showcases Degas's signature style, focusing on the dancer's form and movement. The ballerina is rendered in a back view, her pose suggesting the grace and effort required for dancing, while the three studies of feet emphasize the anatomical details and the dancer's connection to the ground. The use of pastel creates a soft, ethereal quality that evokes the ephemeral nature of dance. Degas's work is celebrated for its exploration of movement, light, and the human figure, making it a captivating example of Impressionism.