Reproduction hand painted of the painting
Dancers (Degas)

In this unusual composition, Degas places his dancers outdoors. Three ballerinas, dressed in orange and blue tutus, are seated at the foot of a large tree, in a setting that evokes a theatrical landscape. The contrast between the stage costumes and the natural setting creates a strange and poetic atmosphere. The artist plays with textures, contrasting the rough bark of the tree with the lightness of the tutus. The color palette is rich, blending the earthy tones of the landscape with the bright colors of the costumes. This work demonstrates Degas’s creative freedom, as he does not hesitate to take the dancers out of their usual environment (the stage or the rehearsal room) to create new and dreamlike visions. The original is housed at the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.