The artwork titled “Dancers at the Barre (study)” by Edgar Degas dates back to around 1876-1877. This oil on canvas piece exemplifies the Impressionist movement, specifically falling into the category of a sketch and study. It is currently housed in the British Museum in London, United Kingdom.
In the artwork, there are dancers depicted with a focus on their positioning at the ballet barre. The study captures the fluidity and grace of the dancers’ poses. Degas’s use of loose, expressive brushstrokes and his attention to light and form are characteristic of his work during this period. The dancers’ attire and the suggestion of movement are portrayed with a light and sketchy quality, imbuing the painting with a sense of immediacy and dynamism. The greenish background provides a muted contrast that allows the figures to stand out, while Degas’s signature at the bottom right corner marks the piece as his own creation.
