Dancer at Rest c. 1895

Edgar Degas created this sketch of a resting dancer during a time when ballet was becoming increasingly popular, yet deeply intertwined with issues of class and gender. The ballet was a space where young women from working-class backgrounds could potentially ascend in society, but it also left them vulnerable to exploitation. Degas often depicted dancers in moments of repose, like this one, offering a glimpse into their lives beyond the stage. Here, we see a young woman, her body exhausted, leaning heavily on what we might imagine is another chair back. Degas captures her physical strain, but also an emotional vulnerability. Her head is tilted, eyes averted. Is it rest or dejection? It is difficult to tell. Degas’ work invites us to consider the complex realities faced by these dancers, caught between the pursuit of artistry and the societal pressures they confronted.