Dancers at the Old Opera House 1877

"Dancers at the Old Opera House" is a pastel drawing by Edgar Degas, created in 1877. The artwork depicts two dancers, one partially obscured, on the stage of an opera house. The dancers are positioned with their backs to the viewer, creating a sense of mystery and intimacy. Degas captured the backstage atmosphere of the theater, highlighting the dancers' effortless grace and elegance. Degas's use of pastel, a medium he mastered, gives the work a hazy and ethereal quality, drawing the viewer into the private world of the dancers. This piece is characteristic of Degas's unique artistic style, which often focused on the world of ballet and its performers.