Lowering the Curtain 1880

Edgar Degas's pastel "Lowering the Curtain" (1880) captures the fleeting moment of a ballerina's performance at the end of a ballet. Degas, known for his depictions of dancers, uses pastel's soft texture to convey the graceful movements and ephemeral nature of the stage. The dancers, partially obscured by a descending curtain, create a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the viewer is witnessing a private backstage moment. The delicate pastel strokes, contrasting with the bold strokes of the curtain, add to the composition's dynamic energy and sense of movement.