Cleveland Museum of Art

Dancer Looking at the Sole of her Right Foot

Date

1896–97

Medium

bronze

Culture

France, 19th century

Department

Modern European Painting and Sculpture

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Degas produced numerous wax sculptures during his lifetime that were cast in bronze shortly after his death. This late work continues his fascination with dancers and the physical sensation of the human body in motion. Marks made by artist's fingers are visible in the bronze surface. Degas often frequented the Garnier opera house in Paris to observe the dancers during both onstage performances and backstage rehearsals. Paying careful attention to their movements and poses, he produced nearly 1,500 works depicting ballet dancers, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures.

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