Première Danseuse. Mademoiselle Subra. Ballet De Sapho 

Here we see Gustave Moreau's graphite drawing, "Première Danseuse. Mademoiselle Subra. Ballet De Sapho." The figure of the ballerina dominates the composition, her ethereal form rendered with delicate, almost hesitant lines. The lightness of the graphite emphasizes her fragility and grace, while the symmetrical pose, arms outstretched and wings spread, evokes a sense of idealized beauty. Moreau uses line and form to destabilize the traditional representation of the dancer. The figure is less a portrait of a person, and more an exploration of abstract ideals. She embodies a symbolic figure, not a literal one. The drawing challenges our understanding of the real and the ideal, inviting us to consider how art can transcend mere representation. It's a space for the ongoing interpretation of beauty, performance, and the symbolic power of the human form.