Menu
Lifestyle / Musings

Ballet Love: Degas And The Ballet Picture Movement

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the press preview of the Royal Academy of Arts’ newest exhibition, Degas and the Ballet: Picture Movement, and what a treat it was. I love ballet, I am a lover of the Impressionism era, and I just adore the work of Edgar Degas.

This exhibition is the first to present Degas’s progressive engagement with the figure in movement, and features over 85 of his paintings, sculptures and photographs, including some pieces that haven’t been seen before in the UK. I can explain how amazing and comprehensive this show is, but if you are a fan of either Degas or ballet you will take something away from this display.

The Red Ballet Skirts//Image: Culture and Sport Glasgow (Museums)

I haven’t seen an exhibition before at the Royal Academy of Arts, which kind of surprises me, but what I loved was the layout the way you weave into each room which details a different area of Degas’s work. One of my favourite pieces is this painting above, The Red Ballet Skirts, I sat looking at this piece for about 10 minutes it is just stunning.

Little Dancer Aged Fourteen//Image: Tate, London, 2010

The centre-piece of the exhibition has to be Degas’s most best-known pieces of work, The Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, I just couldn’t believe how cute she was and sits at only a metre tall. Encased in a glass box, she definitely was the toast of the exhibition, the woman next to me was so excited to see it she gasped with delight.

Two Dancers on the Stage//Image: The Samuel Courtauld Trust, The Courtauld Gallery, London

What the exhibition does is explore how Degas went about creating his work, the way in which he recorded the movement of ballet dancers through photography and film, and then translated that movement into his paintings. Not only is it fascinating seeing Degas’ early work, but also seeing insight into the early development of photography. Also keep your eyes peeled in the exhibition as there are rare pictures of Degas himself with friends in France.

Apparently this collection has taken four years to put together and bring it to London, and it won’t be travelling so if you love Degas then get down to the Royal Academy of Arts before December 11, 2011.

Also make sure you stop by the shop as they have the cutest tote for children, I couldn’t resist buying the postcard book for my collection as well as a Christmas decoration of my favourite painting.