Location: Musee D’Orsay — Paris
Artist- Edgar Degas
Ballet Rehearsal on Stage was published in 1874. It is a series of three paintings by Degas, each slightly different from the other, but depicting a similar narrative.
This painting (as well as the series) captures a “behind-the-scenes-look” at a Parisian ballet rehearsal. Ballet is known for its glamour, drama and artistry. In this painting though, Degas expertly robs it of any grandeur so as to depict an authentic visualisation of what happens during a break in a ballet rehearsal.
Impressionist is his creativity, this particular series by Degas, is almost a study in anti-impressionism, with the composition resembling a sketch more than an oil on canvas. A surprising amount of realism, depicting the scene in stark reality than an impressionist’s interpretation. The sheer lack of colour another proof, that Degas was wilful in his choice to give it that realistic edge.
The other thing that stands out is the amount of mixed media used. For a painting drawn in 1874, the combination of ink, pen, pastel and oil is rare, since mixed media came into popularity about 50 years later. In fact, the first modern artwork to be considered mixed media is Pablo Picasso’s 1912 collage Still Life with Chair Caning, which used paper, cloth, paint and rope causing a pseudo-3D effect.
Art imitates life and in the life of a ballet dancer, the hours spent in rehearsals are far more mundane and non glamorous than the hours spent on stage, performing. Here, Degas captures ballerinas while they are not dancing. In fact they are taking a break. Yawning, stretching, displaying fatigue while taking a breather from their routine. One dancer has both hands stretched back behind her head, head raised, and mouth wide open.
It’s surprisingly realistic and almost drab, but that’s what makes the painting come alive. Degas’ technique of thinning out paint using turpentine robs the artwork of any vibrancy, accentuating the atmosphere of fatigue and tiredness. None of the beauty associated with ballet is on display here and yet, it is beautiful. In the bottom right corner of the painting, the first empty row of the theater is also shown, once again reiterating that it is a rehearsal. The colours are dull there as well, reinforcing the mood.
The creation of beauty is often far less beautiful to behold than the final creation, but it’s those hours spent in honing the craft that finally creates something magical. Rehearsal’s are not perfect. They are not meant to be. They are meant to be hard work, done repeatedly until it almost becomes habit. The painting brings that alive.
A wonderful work in the history of the impressionist movement. If you are ever in Paris, try and swing by. And if you are not, it doesn’t matter. Check it out online. The experience is not the same, but not much different either!
