Torso of a Dancer 1899

Edgar Degas created "Torso of a Dancer" using pastel on paper, a medium that allowed him to blend drawing and painting. The powdery texture of the pastel sticks gave Degas the freedom to build up layers of color, creating a sense of depth and movement. You can see how he's used broad strokes to define the background, contrasting with the finer lines that shape the dancer's body. This technique highlights the dancer's form, capturing a fleeting moment of movement. Pastels were readily available and relatively inexpensive, reflecting the rising middle class and a shift towards accessible art materials. Yet, Degas' mastery elevates this everyday medium. By bringing the ‘everyday’ into the realm of fine art, we see the value in blurring the lines between different creative practices.