The Rehearsal
The artist
Edgar Degas, a French Impressionist artist who loved to draw and paint dancers.
What you see
Young ballet dancers practicing in a big bright studio, stretching and resting between their steps.
The story
Degas visited the Paris Opera many times to watch dancers train, so he could show the hard work behind a show.
The style
He liked off-center views, as if you peeked in unnoticed, giving his scenes a real, snapshot feeling.
Look closer
Notice the dancers who are not performing yet, yawning or fixing a shoe, showing the tiring side of ballet.
Where to see it
Degas ballet paintings are treasured in museums such as the Musee d'Orsay in Paris.
Fun fact
Degas made so many dancer pictures that people sometimes call him the painter of dancers.