Ballerina and Lady with a Fan 1885

Edgar Degas made this pastel drawing titled 'Ballerina and Lady with a Fan.' Degas was fascinated by the ballet, and this piece captures a moment that seems both intimate and observed. In the late 19th century, the Paris Opera, where these dancers performed, was a complex social space. It served as a place of artistry and a marketplace where wealthy men often sought liaisons with the young dancers, who came from working-class backgrounds. In this piece, Degas shows us a ballerina at the edge of the stage leaning towards a woman holding a fan, who is most likely a subscriber to the opera. The figures and setting, rendered in soft pastels, evoke a sense of fleeting beauty, while quietly hinting at the economic realities underpinning the dancer's world. The fan in this picture is more than an accessory, it serves as a screen and a barrier.