Dancer with a Tambourine c. 1880 - 1964

Degas made this bronze sculpture of a dancer with a tambourine, and what strikes me is the process he used. It’s so hands-on, like he’s kneading the form into existence. Look at the surface – you can see every little touch, every push and pull of the material. The light catches on all those tiny imperfections, giving it a kind of raw, honest energy. It’s not trying to be slick or perfect, which is interesting, given the subject matter of the piece is a dancer. It’s like Degas is saying, "Hey, this is how it’s made." You can almost feel the artist’s hands working the clay and building the figure. I find myself thinking about Rodin, who also explored the human form with such directness and sensuality, not to mention the Impressionists who were so interested in exploring movement. Art is a conversation across time, you know? Always changing, always responding.