The Dance Lesson c. 1879

Edgar Degas painted this oil on canvas, "The Dance Lesson," depicting a ballet class in Paris during the late 19th century. The Paris Opera Ballet was a cultural institution, but behind the beauty and grace was a world of rigid discipline and social stratification. Degas, from an upper-class background, had unique access to this world, but it was fraught with complexities. The young dancers, often from working-class families, were called “Opera Rats”, and were vulnerable to exploitation. Degas captures a sense of both the beauty and the rigor of their training. Note the dancer in the foreground, seated and seemingly in distress. Her posture speaks volumes about the emotional and physical demands placed on these young women. Meanwhile, the dance master observes, a figure of authority in this highly structured environment. Degas’ work invites us to consider the lives of these young dancers, their dreams, and the societal pressures they faced. The painting quietly reveals the personal stories behind the spectacle of the ballet, challenging traditional romantic portrayals of dancers.