ABSTRACT

M. Degas exhibits two oil paintings which depict ballet dancers from the Opera: three women in yellow tulle skirts are folded in each other's arms; behind them, the backdrop is being raised to reveal the pink costumes of the corps de ballet. The author would also recommend a look at the painting above this one, which shows the body of a woman, leaning forward, as well as two drawings on pink paper in which one ballerina is seen from behind whilst the other ties up her shoe. A painter of modern life had been born, moreover a painter who derived from and resembled no other, who brought with him a totally new artistic flavour, as well as totally new skills. But in this year's exhibition, it is paintings of the ballet that predominate. It is difficult to convey in writing even the vaguest idea of what M. Degas' paintings are about.