Edgar Degas
French, 1834­1917
The Star (L’Etoile)
1879­81
Pastel on cream wove paper
73.3 x 57.4 cm
Bequest of Mrs. Diego Suarez, 1980.414

Degas loved watching performers in action. He went to the ballet, the racetrack, and the circus, always with his sketchbook in hand. At the ballet, he didn’t usually sit among the audience. Rather, he watched from the sidelines and backstage, where he sketched the beautiful performers from unusual angles. Often his paintings and drawings show dancers just before they go on stage, or after their performance.

Ballet dancers place their feet very carefully. Are the feet of any of the other dancers in the same position as the star’s?