Dancer in Green c. 1883

Edgar Degas, a 19th-century French artist, created this pastel drawing, titled "Dancer in Green". Degas was known for his paintings and pastels of ballerinas, a subject that allowed him to explore movement, light, and form. Ballet, during Degas’ time, was deeply intertwined with the social fabric of Paris. Often, the young dancers, many from working-class backgrounds, were subject to the gaze of wealthy male patrons. While Degas claimed his interest was purely aesthetic, focusing on the beauty and discipline of dance, it is impossible to ignore the power dynamics at play. The dancers, poised and graceful, were also vulnerable, their livelihoods dependent on the favor of the elite. Degas develops a traditional representation of the ballet dancer, while subtly revealing this complex intersection of art, class, and gender. The image invites us to reflect on the societal structures that shaped both the artist's vision and the lives of his subjects.