Study in the Nude of Little Dancer Aged Fourteen (Nude Little Dancer) c. 1878 - 1881

Edgar Degas's "Study in the Nude of Little Dancer Aged Fourteen (Nude Little Dancer)" is a wax sculpture created between 1878 and 1881. Depicting a young ballerina in a naturalistic pose, the work is a powerful example of Degas's fascination with the human form, particularly the female figure. The sculpture's rough, unfinished texture and its unconventional subject matter caused controversy at the time of its creation but has since been praised for its realism and raw beauty. This iconic work, notable for its use of mixed media and its departure from traditional academic sculpture, is a testament to Degas's innovative approach to art.