Three Dancers in Pink 1886

Edgar Degas created ‘Three Dancers in Pink’ using pastel on paper. His images of dancers are celebrated, yet it's essential to consider them within their historical context. In 19th-century Paris, ballet was deeply entwined with class and gender dynamics. Dancers, often from working-class backgrounds, navigated a world of rigorous training and the ever-present gaze of wealthy male patrons. Degas' work often captures a sense of voyeurism, an outsider looking in, as seen in the obscured figures and unconventional viewpoints. The pastel medium lends a softness to the scene, yet there's also a sense of the dancers' physicality, their bodies honed through discipline. This piece invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between art, representation, and the lived experiences of the women who were both performers and subjects. The beauty of Degas’ dancers is laced with the realities of their time.