Bronze sculpture Little Dancer of Fourteen Years - sign. Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas (1834-1917) was a French artist known for his paintings, sculptures, and drawings. He is often associated with the Impressionists, although his style and choice of subjects differed from many of his contemporaries.

One of his most famous sculptures is "La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans" (The Little Dancer Aged Fourteen). Here are some facts and background on it:

1. Material and Design: The original sculpture was made in wax and featured the young dancer with real human hair, a cotton ribbon in her hair, a silk ribbon around her neck, and a linen ballet skirt. Later, several bronze copies of it were made.
2. Model: The dancer who modeled for the sculpture was Marie Geneviève van Goethem. She was a student at the Paris Opera School and came from a poor family.
3. Reaction: When the work was first exhibited in the Sixth Impressionist Salon in 1881, it elicited mixed reactions. Some viewed the depiction as brilliant and revolutionary in its realism, while others found it ugly and shocking.
4. Degas and Dancers: Degas had a special fascination with dancers. Many of his works depict them practicing, dancing, or in quiet moments. He was captivated by their movement, grace, and the hard training that went behind their performances.
5. Preservation: The original wax model was found after Degas' death and later cast in bronze. One of these bronze casts is now in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
6. Uniqueness: Although Degas painted and sketched many dancers, "La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans" is his only sculpture that was publicly exhibited during his lifetime.

This sculpture showcases Degas' ability to capture movement and life in a three-dimensional medium. It remains one of his most well-known and widely discussed works.

Width: 18 cm
Height: 38 cm
Depth: 13 cm
Weight: 5,5 kg
100% Bronze