Copy painting on canvas of the artwork
Dancer adjusting her slipper (Degas)

In this brightly colored work, Degas focuses on a simple and essential gesture in a dancer’s life. Seated, a ballerina leans over to adjust her slipper. Her flamboyant orange tutu occupies a large part of the composition, becoming an almost abstract entity of pure color. The background, treated with touches of yellow and purple, makes the main color vibrate. The dancer’s body is sculpted with purple and blue shadows, creating a bold contrast. Degas shows us the effort and concentration behind the apparent grace. The pastel technique is used here with raw energy; the strokes are visible and contribute to the dynamism of the scene. It is a celebration of color and a tribute to the rigorous discipline of dance.