Dans la coulisse 1883 - 1886

Edgar Degas created "Dans la coulisse" using graphite on paper. The setting offers us a glimpse into the world backstage, a space typically hidden from the audience's view. Here we see the young dancers who were often from poor or working-class backgrounds, seeking a path to upward mobility. The girls are rendered with an intimate, yet detached gaze, typical of Degas. He captures them in a moment of rest, revealing the labor and vulnerability behind the spectacle of ballet. It’s important to remember that these dancers, often very young, were subject to the strict discipline of the ballet, as well as the male gaze, both on and off stage. The drawing hints at these power dynamics, making us question our own position as viewers. What does it mean to witness this scene, to be given access to their private moment? Degas invites us to reflect on the social and personal realities of these young women, whose dreams and struggles were often overshadowed by the glamour of the stage.