Dancers in Light Blue (Rehearsing in the Dance Studio) 1881

Edgar Degas made this oil painting titled "Dancers in Light Blue" during a time when ballet was deeply embedded in the social fabric of Paris. The painting invites us to consider the lives of these dancers, often young women from working-class backgrounds, who found themselves under the exacting gaze of wealthy male patrons. Degas captures them not in the polished performance, but in the mundane, grueling repetition of practice. His focus on their physical exertion hints at the sacrifices and discipline required, subtly challenging romanticized visions of ballet. The light blue of their tutus softens the scene, yet the underlying tension speaks to the complex dynamics of gender, class, and power within the ballet world. This piece evokes the delicate balance between beauty and the often harsh realities behind the curtain.