The Dance Lesson 1879

Edgar Degas captured this image, “The Dance Lesson” with pastel and charcoal, likely in France during the 1870s. Degas was known for depicting modern life, and here he shows us a scene from the world of ballet. But consider the social context. Ballet in 19th century Paris was intricately linked with wealthy patrons and powerful institutions, like the Opera. Young dancers, often from poor families, sought financial security through their art. Degas does not idealize the world of ballet. Instead, he shows the intense labor and the social dynamics at play. To truly understand Degas, we need to look at more than just his technique. Examining the archives of the Paris Opera, reading the social history of the time, and understanding the economic realities of working-class families will help us understand the complex social world that Degas captured in images like this one.