Dancers in the Wings 1879 - 1880

"Dancers in the Wings" is a monotype by Edgar Degas, executed in 1879-1880. The print depicts three dancers, their figures emerging from the darkness as they wait in the wings of the stage. Degas, known for his representations of dancers, uses loose, gestural lines and an atmospheric background to capture the fleeting moment and the movement of the dancers. The monotype technique, where an image is transferred from an oil-painted surface to paper, contributes to the hazy and fragmented aesthetic. Degas’s portrayal of the dancers in this piece embodies his artistic fascination with capturing the ephemeral nature of movement and the backstage world of ballet.