Study of a Nude (Dancer at the Barre) 1884 - 1900

Edgar Degas made this drawing, Study of a Nude, with charcoal on paper. The piece presents a dancer stretching at the barre, a common subject for Degas, who was fascinated by the ballet. It's essential to consider the historical context: during the late 19th century, ballet was a profession largely populated by young women from working-class backgrounds. Ballet was one of the few ways a woman could support herself. Yet, they faced societal pressures and were often objectified. Degas’s drawings give us insight into this tension; the artist was both captivated by and perhaps complicit in the objectification of these dancers. We see the dancer’s concentration and labor, a stark contrast to the glamour associated with ballet. The nude figure emphasizes the physical demands placed on these women. The artwork prompts us to reflect on the intersections of gender, class, and labor, and challenges us to consider the complex realities faced by these dancers.