Degas Dancers with Becca Randall

Barber Home – Degas dancers Explore movement and learn about ballet poses inspired by artist Edgar Degas. Contemporary dancer Becca Randall has produced three video workshops inspired by the Barber’s bronze ballerina sculptures, Dancer Ready to Dance and Grande Arabesque. The whole family can take part – warm up, try the creative dance game, and … Read more

Edgar Degas (1834 – 1917)

A Horse Trotting Paris, Model: late 1880s, Cast: Hébrard foundry, Paris, 1919-21 Bronze 23.0 x 8.4 x 22.5 cm Degas’ interest in horses is evidenced by his numerous paintings with racecourse subjects, such as the Barber’s magnificent ‘Jockeys Before the Race’ of c.1878-79. This model may have been inspired by a photograph of ‘The Trot’ by … Read more

EDGAR DEGAS (1834-1917)

Grande Arabesque, Third Time Paris, Model: about 1885-90; Cast: 1919-21 Bronze 44.5 x 55.3 x 29 cm Ballet dancers are Degas’ most famous subject matter, and he was clearly fascinated by the endless variety of their poses. This engaging study of concentration is the culmination of a series of three that show one of the … Read more

Edgar Degas (1834-1917)

The Cirque Fernando – Architectural Study  France, c. 1879 Pencil, black and red chalk on two sheets of joined pink paper A study for the architectural background of ‘La La at the Cirque Fernando’. The Cirque Fernando was built in 1875 in the boulevard Rochechouart, Paris, near the Place Pigalle. Studies for the interior fill … Read more

EDGAR DEGAS (1834-1917)

Dancer ready to dance, the right foot forward Paris, Model: about 1885-90; Cast: 1919-21 Bronze 56.5 x 32.2 x 21.5 cm This figure is one of more than 30 studies made of ballerinas by Degas, his favourite subject matter. The pose suggests a ballerina in class or on the stage, and was probably inspired by dancers … Read more

Edgar Degas (1834 – 1917)

Mademoiselle Malo Paris, the early 1870s Pastel on paper 522 X 411 MM Mademoiselle Malo has not been conclusively identified, but apparently she was a dancer at the Paris Opéra.  Degas began to use pastel for portrait studies in the 1870s and this fine example is one of the earliest.  Degas appreciated the qualities of … Read more

EDGAR DEGAS (1834-1917)

MISS LALA AT THE CIRQUE FERNANDO France, 1879 Black chalk with touches of pastel 470 x 320 mm In 1879 Degas made this preparatory drawing of Miss LaLa, an acrobat of mixed European and African parentage. Renowned for her agility, she performed throughout Europe. This daring perspective shows LaLa suspended from the rafters of the … Read more

EDGAR DEGAS (1834-1917)

Jockeys Before the Race Paris, exhibited 1879 
Oil, essence, bodycolour and pastel on paper 107.3 x 73.7 cm Degas’ racing pictures generally concentrate on the undramatic moments before the start. Here, the starting-post bisects the composition, creating an instantaneous effect, suggestive of a snapshot. Figures and horses are obscured, cut by the frame and shown … Read more