Amatøren. Danserinde 1935 - 1939

This bronze sculpture, Amatøren. Danserinde, came into being sometime between 1859 and 1939 by the hand of H.P. Pedersen-Dan. I like the word amateur, amateur dancer, it’s got a lovely ring to it, like a fresh start, a sense of experimentation. She’s caught mid-twirl, or maybe she’s just about to take off. I wonder, what’s she thinking? That dress, held out like that, makes me think of Degas’ ballerinas, but this one feels different. There’s an awkwardness to her pose, an uncertainty that’s really appealing. It feels real, you know? Not some ideal of perfection, but just a person, doing their thing, figuring it out as they go along. Artists inspire other artists. They are in an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time. I like this sculpture because she embraces ambiguity, offering different interpretations, like a dance itself.