The Step with Battement 1879

"The Step with Battement" (1879) by Edgar Degas is a pastel drawing depicting a ballerina mid-step, showcasing the artist's signature fascination with movement and dance. The work captures a fleeting moment, with the dancer's form emphasized by the blurred background, further enhancing the sense of dynamism. Degas's signature pastel technique, characterized by soft, layered strokes, gives the image a sense of lightness and ephemerality, highlighting the delicate nature of the ballerina's pose and the ephemeral nature of dance itself.