Dancer Putting on Her Slipper 1896

Curator: Here we have Edgar Degas’s “Dancer Putting on Her Slipper,” a pastel drawing created around 1896. Editor: It’s dreamy! I see this quiet, personal moment of preparation… sort of caught on the fly. I feel like I’m peeking. Curator: That's interesting, given the male gaze in ballet, historically. This artwork encapsulates Degas's fascination with ballet dancers, not just onstage but also behind the scenes, capturing them in moments of vulnerability and effort. Editor: There’s a lot of labor implied, right? That position doesn't look particularly comfortable to try and secure that shoe. It looks so informal… not at all glamorous. Curator: Exactly. Degas sought to portray the reality of these dancers, challenging romanticized notions. The artwork offers a glimpse into their physical exertion and dedication. It's also worth noting that dancers' bodies are policed from a very young age. How does that manifest in a picture like this one? Editor: Hmmm… well, maybe in the awkward angles and off-balance position. There’s a palpable sense of discomfort that cuts against any expected elegance. Degas doesn't give us idealized perfection. Curator: Indeed, there are socio-political implications concerning class, gender, and labor at play, considering the lives of many young dancers. This drawing prompts us to consider the complexities of their position in late 19th-century Parisian society. Editor: I like how the pastel almost blurs everything; it emphasizes this transient moment. Her body kind of dissolves into her skirt, blending into the backstage ether. Curator: A fleeting moment indeed—ephemeral, yet loaded with sociohistorical context. Editor: Ultimately, Degas creates a space for the dancers. And that, to me, adds humanity.