First Arabesque Penchée 1850 - 1920

Edgar Degas’ bronze sculpture, "First Arabesque Penchée," offers us a glimpse into the world of ballet in nineteenth-century France, a world Degas knew intimately. He was a frequent patron of the Paris Opéra. Degas’ focus on the female form in motion challenges traditional representations of women in art. While seemingly celebrating the ballerina, his work invites contemplation on the physical demands placed on these young women, many from working-class backgrounds, who sought a precarious existence on the stage. The arabesque, a pose of elegance and control, becomes a study in the tension between artistic expression and the socio-economic realities of the time. We are left to consider the dancer's experience, the discipline and dedication required to achieve such poise, and the societal gaze to which she was subjected. "First Arabesque Penchée" captures a fleeting moment, yet it also embodies the complexities of identity, labor, and representation within the cultural landscape of its time.