On the Stage 1876 - 1877

Edgar Degas captures dancers in motion, using pastels to create a sense of fleeting beauty. The tutu, a symbol of grace and ethereal lightness, becomes a central motif. These swirling skirts evoke images of mythological figures, like nymphs or sylphs, spirits of the air, that were often depicted in flowing fabrics, embodying freedom. Think of Botticelli's Primavera: the garments echo the floating figure's movements, blurring the line between the body and the space it inhabits. Over time, the tutu has become synonymous with ballet, representing a delicate yet powerful femininity. In contrast to the idealization of classical representations, Degas' ballerinas are real women, caught in moments of strenuous exertion, reminding us of the duality inherent in such symbols. These dancers, like all symbols, carry the weight of history while adapting to the present, revealing the powerful and cyclical nature of art.