Edgar Degas shows a brilliant impressionistic style and great dedication to his work of art creating the famous piece, The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage, in eighteen seventy four. Different oils, watercolors, and pastels placed on a canvas generate an eye catching painting that makes this artist idiosyncratic, and unique from any other well known artist during the nineteenth century. Viewing this piece of work, Degas creates a distinct emotion within the painting that is projected to the audience. Edgar Degas’s painting technique as well as brings in a unique style which has every viewer start to analyze and try to imagine in their own minds, what’s being depicted on this beautiful canvas.
Ballet originated during the italian renaissance, and became very popular during the nineteenth century. Ballet has advance techniques including, pointe, extensions, and creating effortless movements that make it an art form. Ballet is a foundation to modern dance as well as created a business thus inspiring many artist of the time. During Degas’s time, Ballet was becoming a substantial success in the art world attracting many different companies around the world.
Degas’s fondness for Ballet and movement, contributed to his own art. He had an attachment to different ballet scenes which created a series of ballet painting including, The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage. He created these scenes while being brought into the world of dance, and was showed that this world was also a job just like any other ever since the late seventeenth century when Louis XIV created a school for dance. Edgar Degas’ style; very popular in the 19th hundreds in europe, showed the realistic approach of Ballet. It is a job, and gets tedious as well as less exhilarating. He portrays on canvas what goes on behind curtains, in the world of dance. Many people view ballet as a beautiful, effortless art form which is shown every time when the curtains open, yet Degas shows the monotonous side of what goes on before it's showtime.
Edgar Degas was known for his style of impressionism, that emerges during the early nineteenth century.. In this painting he depicts the dancers rehearsing, and in action to their daily routine of constantly doing reruns before shows. He uses a series of different medias, such as watercolor and pastels which makes it a mixed media canvas of painting and drawing in one. This mixture of different components creates an impressionistic styles. The vivid, bold colors of this style created a new genre in the world of art, and every viewer.
Edgar Degas’ impressionism of this particular painting, creates many soft colors yet still vibrant. He uses dull colors consisted of light blues, turquoises, and light oranges yet create a very vivid setting. The way the stage itself is painted in an abstract way, still shows realism as well as techniques that were inspired by Japanese prints. In, The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage, shows very vibrant colors as well as a structured impression. Also the way he uses dull colors as the base coat and then slowly overlaps them with vivacious colors added to the tutus, and stage curtains in the back. Degas’ studied artist such as Michelangelo which inspired his love in the art of movement. In this painting, movements are clear within every line drawn and painting in. The dancers in the middle back, show to be on stage doing a piece while the conductor is waving his arms to lead the music.
Continuing furthermore in the the piece, the dancers don't have their usual stage enthusiasm that it usually shown during performances, yet havel fatigue and weary emotions displaying a more practical rehearsal. Each dancer has a different expression or stance, yet they all show a similar characteristic of drowsiness. Some dancers are even showing signs of yawning or stretching which shows Degas’ perspective of a real rehearsal. Being a dancer myself, I remember many times rehearsing on stage before shows, and it being a very long process. At times it get tedious, and very repetitive which created a very lethargic atmosphere. By the end of the rehearsal, everyone only thinks about going home to sleep, and be prepared for the next day of rehearsal.
Additionally, the dancer on the far left has her hands crosses and eyes closed symbolizing her enervation. Even the way the men in the far right corner are slouched and relaxed shows their sereness of the rehearsal. In the middle of the painting, a girl is seemed to be yawning and stretching while either waiting to enter the stage soon or just watching the rest of scene. In Ballet, it is an art that produces productions of choreography as well as many emotions within each show. This scene; no emotions are displayed other than fatigueness and the long day of rehearsal. It is truly a more realistic view, yet the colors themselves portray the impressionistic side of the beautiful painting. The stage itself, grabs the attention of every viewer due to the style of how it was created. Vicious, colorful lines and rough stroke of different paints makes the stage pop out just like the dancers. The artist uses darks and lights to create a lit up stage, in this scene. The lights are inferred to becoming from the right top of the canvas, and makes shadows within every object on stage. It starts with the front of the stage to be painted with lighter browns, and almost white colors while the back of the stage is shown in darker oranges, blues, and greens. The dancers’ tutus in the front, are illumined while the dancers further back are again smeared with dark oranges and blues. Edgar Degas approached the lighting of this painting, as if the viewer is at this rehearsal themselves. Even with some areas looking more abstract than others, the artist was still able to create realism in this painting.
One interesting thing about this painting, is there is no one vocal point. Every person in this scene seems to be gazing at something different, thus not giving it a center purpose. This type of painting emerged in the Sixteenth Century Italian Art period.
Edgar’s use of mixing media, fully completes the painting and adds an interesting element to the picture. There is an abstract view of this painting, yet the emotions exerted from each person in the canvas, shows a realistic approach. It is shown that the artist admired Ballet very much, due to how he portrayed this scene, yet with light colors. Comparing this piece to his later piece, Dance Class, shows similarities of how he uses the same colors to catch the viewer's attention. The way he uses red oranges, to isolate some figures in the painting and make them truly seize the viewers eyes. Also, the brush stroke of the tutus and the background is presented in the same manner.
Edgar Degas’s style within the painting, distinguishes his painting from many other artist during the time. This technique demonstrates what many artists have learned, such as broken brushstrokes, unblended colors, and the direct outcome of light within the painting. The way he paints the figures, there is a structure in some places yet could be faded and smudged in others . To catch the viewer's eyes, he sharpens the lines on some figures more than others, creating a contrast. Also the background makes the figures in the back pop out rather than blend in. Every individual in his painting in seen, and able to be analyzed as well as every detail has a purpose and is adequate. Even though his styles throughout many of his works is not pure realistic, it can still be related to very effortlessly.8
In The Rehearsal Onstage, movement is shown everywhere. In the middle back of the canvas, the dancers arms are painted in a way that you can visualize their clear movements. On the other hand, The dancers on the sides of the canvas are lucidly shown to be in rest positions and unaffected by the movement on stage. This element constructs another point, to the wide attraction of this painting.
Over all, the brilliant impression shown with The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage, gives the observer a glimpse into how Edgar Degas delineated Ballet in the nineteenth century. His different techniques and choices of paints, and pastels created a scene that grabs every watchers attention. His unique approach to impressionism, and his fondness for Ballet manifested a piece that exhibited the beauty of dance. Edgar Degas created a magnificent painting that will always be appreciated and remembered by every viewer.
Bibliography
"Ballet." - New World Encyclopedia. Accessed April 12, 2016. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ballet. Pp. 1-6
"Degas and His Dancers." Smithsonian. Accessed April 12, 2016. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/degas-and-his-dancers-79455990/?no-ist. pp.1-3
"Edgar Degas (1834–1917): Painting and Drawing | Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Accessed April 12, 2016. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/dgsp/hd_dgsp.htm. pp.1-4
"Edgar Degas | The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage | The Met." The Metropolitan Museum of Art, I.e. The Met Museum. Accessed April 12, 2016. http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436155. pp.1-2
"Impressionism: Art and Modernity | Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Accessed April 12, 2016. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/imml/hd_imml.htm. pp.1-4
"MOST POPULAR PAINTINGS." Ballet Rehearsal on Stage, 1874 by Edgar Degas. Accessed April 12, 2016. http://www.edgar-degas.net/ballet-rehearsal-on-stage.jsp. p.1
Ballet originated during the italian renaissance, and became very popular during the nineteenth century. Ballet has advance techniques including, pointe, extensions, and creating effortless movements that make it an art form. Ballet is a foundation to modern dance as well as created a business thus inspiring many artist of the time. During Degas’s time, Ballet was becoming a substantial success in the art world attracting many different companies around the world.
Degas’s fondness for Ballet and movement, contributed to his own art. He had an attachment to different ballet scenes which created a series of ballet painting including, The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage. He created these scenes while being brought into the world of dance, and was showed that this world was also a job just like any other ever since the late seventeenth century when Louis XIV created a school for dance. Edgar Degas’ style; very popular in the 19th hundreds in europe, showed the realistic approach of Ballet. It is a job, and gets tedious as well as less exhilarating. He portrays on canvas what goes on behind curtains, in the world of dance. Many people view ballet as a beautiful, effortless art form which is shown every time when the curtains open, yet Degas shows the monotonous side of what goes on before it's showtime.
Edgar Degas was known for his style of impressionism, that emerges during the early nineteenth century.. In this painting he depicts the dancers rehearsing, and in action to their daily routine of constantly doing reruns before shows. He uses a series of different medias, such as watercolor and pastels which makes it a mixed media canvas of painting and drawing in one. This mixture of different components creates an impressionistic styles. The vivid, bold colors of this style created a new genre in the world of art, and every viewer.
Edgar Degas’ impressionism of this particular painting, creates many soft colors yet still vibrant. He uses dull colors consisted of light blues, turquoises, and light oranges yet create a very vivid setting. The way the stage itself is painted in an abstract way, still shows realism as well as techniques that were inspired by Japanese prints. In, The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage, shows very vibrant colors as well as a structured impression. Also the way he uses dull colors as the base coat and then slowly overlaps them with vivacious colors added to the tutus, and stage curtains in the back. Degas’ studied artist such as Michelangelo which inspired his love in the art of movement. In this painting, movements are clear within every line drawn and painting in. The dancers in the middle back, show to be on stage doing a piece while the conductor is waving his arms to lead the music.
Continuing furthermore in the the piece, the dancers don't have their usual stage enthusiasm that it usually shown during performances, yet havel fatigue and weary emotions displaying a more practical rehearsal. Each dancer has a different expression or stance, yet they all show a similar characteristic of drowsiness. Some dancers are even showing signs of yawning or stretching which shows Degas’ perspective of a real rehearsal. Being a dancer myself, I remember many times rehearsing on stage before shows, and it being a very long process. At times it get tedious, and very repetitive which created a very lethargic atmosphere. By the end of the rehearsal, everyone only thinks about going home to sleep, and be prepared for the next day of rehearsal.
Additionally, the dancer on the far left has her hands crosses and eyes closed symbolizing her enervation. Even the way the men in the far right corner are slouched and relaxed shows their sereness of the rehearsal. In the middle of the painting, a girl is seemed to be yawning and stretching while either waiting to enter the stage soon or just watching the rest of scene. In Ballet, it is an art that produces productions of choreography as well as many emotions within each show. This scene; no emotions are displayed other than fatigueness and the long day of rehearsal. It is truly a more realistic view, yet the colors themselves portray the impressionistic side of the beautiful painting. The stage itself, grabs the attention of every viewer due to the style of how it was created. Vicious, colorful lines and rough stroke of different paints makes the stage pop out just like the dancers. The artist uses darks and lights to create a lit up stage, in this scene. The lights are inferred to becoming from the right top of the canvas, and makes shadows within every object on stage. It starts with the front of the stage to be painted with lighter browns, and almost white colors while the back of the stage is shown in darker oranges, blues, and greens. The dancers’ tutus in the front, are illumined while the dancers further back are again smeared with dark oranges and blues. Edgar Degas approached the lighting of this painting, as if the viewer is at this rehearsal themselves. Even with some areas looking more abstract than others, the artist was still able to create realism in this painting.
One interesting thing about this painting, is there is no one vocal point. Every person in this scene seems to be gazing at something different, thus not giving it a center purpose. This type of painting emerged in the Sixteenth Century Italian Art period.
Edgar’s use of mixing media, fully completes the painting and adds an interesting element to the picture. There is an abstract view of this painting, yet the emotions exerted from each person in the canvas, shows a realistic approach. It is shown that the artist admired Ballet very much, due to how he portrayed this scene, yet with light colors. Comparing this piece to his later piece, Dance Class, shows similarities of how he uses the same colors to catch the viewer's attention. The way he uses red oranges, to isolate some figures in the painting and make them truly seize the viewers eyes. Also, the brush stroke of the tutus and the background is presented in the same manner.
Edgar Degas’s style within the painting, distinguishes his painting from many other artist during the time. This technique demonstrates what many artists have learned, such as broken brushstrokes, unblended colors, and the direct outcome of light within the painting. The way he paints the figures, there is a structure in some places yet could be faded and smudged in others . To catch the viewer's eyes, he sharpens the lines on some figures more than others, creating a contrast. Also the background makes the figures in the back pop out rather than blend in. Every individual in his painting in seen, and able to be analyzed as well as every detail has a purpose and is adequate. Even though his styles throughout many of his works is not pure realistic, it can still be related to very effortlessly.8
In The Rehearsal Onstage, movement is shown everywhere. In the middle back of the canvas, the dancers arms are painted in a way that you can visualize their clear movements. On the other hand, The dancers on the sides of the canvas are lucidly shown to be in rest positions and unaffected by the movement on stage. This element constructs another point, to the wide attraction of this painting.
Over all, the brilliant impression shown with The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage, gives the observer a glimpse into how Edgar Degas delineated Ballet in the nineteenth century. His different techniques and choices of paints, and pastels created a scene that grabs every watchers attention. His unique approach to impressionism, and his fondness for Ballet manifested a piece that exhibited the beauty of dance. Edgar Degas created a magnificent painting that will always be appreciated and remembered by every viewer.
Bibliography
"Ballet." - New World Encyclopedia. Accessed April 12, 2016. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ballet. Pp. 1-6
"Degas and His Dancers." Smithsonian. Accessed April 12, 2016. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/degas-and-his-dancers-79455990/?no-ist. pp.1-3
"Edgar Degas (1834–1917): Painting and Drawing | Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Accessed April 12, 2016. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/dgsp/hd_dgsp.htm. pp.1-4
"Edgar Degas | The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage | The Met." The Metropolitan Museum of Art, I.e. The Met Museum. Accessed April 12, 2016. http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436155. pp.1-2
"Impressionism: Art and Modernity | Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Accessed April 12, 2016. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/imml/hd_imml.htm. pp.1-4
"MOST POPULAR PAINTINGS." Ballet Rehearsal on Stage, 1874 by Edgar Degas. Accessed April 12, 2016. http://www.edgar-degas.net/ballet-rehearsal-on-stage.jsp. p.1