The Curtain by Degas

This pastel work by Degas Edgar, titled “The Curtain”, introduces us to the secret world of the Paris Opéra backstage. The artist moves away from the stage performance to explore moments of waiting in the theater’s intermediate spaces. This bold framing, typical of his gaze influenced by photography, shows the discrete confrontation between the world of subscribers and that of the young ballet dancers.

In the right foreground, an elegant man in a black coat and a top hat is seen from behind, observing the backstage from the shadow of the wings. On the left, a massive tree trunk forming part of the painted scenery rises toward the heights, while another man in a dark suit leans against its base. In the background, beneath the foliage of the stage trees, a row of ballerina legs in pink and white striped tutus is active under bright stage lights. The neutral gray floor contrasts with blue and green highlights. This raw brightness casts long shadows on the boards, creating a mysterious and poetic atmosphere.

The artist’s exceptional mastery of pastel is expressed in the striking contrast between the dark, geometric shapes of the men and the airy silhouettes of the tutus. Degas Edgar uses energetic hatching and subtle blending to suggest three-dimensional space and the illusory magic of theatrical decor.