Dancers at the Old Opera House 1877

Edgar Degas made this pastel drawing of dancers at the Paris Opera House, a great symbol of French cultural life. Degas gives us more than just ballerinas; he offers a glimpse into the socio-economic structures of 19th-century Paris. The opera wasn't just about art; it was a social institution. In this piece, the dancers on stage are juxtaposed with the dark silhouettes of the audience in their boxes. This hints at the relationship between the performers and their patrons, a relationship often tinged with financial dependency and, sometimes, exploitation. Degas was fascinated by the backstage world, the gritty reality behind the polished performances. To understand Degas fully, we delve into the archives, read the social commentaries of the time, and explore the institutional history of the Paris Opera. This work reminds us that art doesn't exist in a vacuum; it's always shaped by the social conditions of its time.