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The stunning portrayal of ballerinas preparing to take the stage is a classic illustration throughout the artist’s work.
Degas adored showcasing the behind the scene elements throughout his work that truly captured grace and a private world privy from the eye. Some of his other paintings that have a similar feel include Dancer In Her Dressing Room, Lowering The Curtain, and The Actresses Dressing Room. While it’s unknown whether the artist genuinely had a behind the scene access to witness what goes on to put on the show, or the paintings are simply based on his imaginations. However, art critics predict that Degas had silently imagined the secrets that went on in the dressing room prior to the show. The artist also had an immense obsession for the nude female body bathing. Some of his work from this collection include After The Bath, Seated Bather, and Woman Having Her Hair Combed. All of these marvellous pieces perfectly capture the allure of the female body on display to the world.
The painting Dancer’s Dressing Room illustrates a ballerina preparing to go on stage as a man and woman help her. The ballerina is standing with her shoulders slightly hunched forward. She gently holds her hands above the skirt being careful to not lay them down. The ballerina is dressed in a stunning blue costume that steals the spotlight on the canvas. The stunning dress falls off of the woman’s shoulders in endless small ruffles. A V-shaped corset gently holds the woman’s waist in place as she stands looking on to the floor. The dark blue satin corset has a small floral design swirling in different directions. The ballerina’s chest is exposed towards the opposite side.
The woman’s romantic tutu gently bursts out towards the floor. Layers upon layers of light chiffon fabric fill the rim of the dress outwards. The viewer is able to catch a glimpse of the girl’s knees. Then a large blue chair cuts out the remainder of the woman’s body as the viewer can no longer see. The ballerina seems to resemble a young girl based on her face. The features are immensely small with a rounded face. As well, her body language hunching downwards seems to give off an embarrassed feel as the people around her fix her dress. Perhaps she is at fault for what occurred with her dress and now feels embarrassed for what she has done. However, perhaps the young girl is simply nervous to go on stage. The girl has a bright blue ribbon tied across her neck beneath her face. Her hair is placed in a planner up-do with bangs covering part of her profile. Finally, a matching silk blue bow holds her hair in place at the top of her head.
One of the most captivating elements of the painting is the grand skirt. It has small silver detailing resembling rhinestones or jewels. The skirt would shine when the woman would perform in it on stage. To the right, an older woman with dark hair is helping the ballerina fix her skirt. It seems as if she might be sewing the small jewels onto her dress. On the opposite side, an older man is crunched down as well. While his hands are not placed on the dress, it seems that he is instead examining. A part of his cane is evident on the dress. Degas quickly throws a few shades of zig pink and blue pastel linear lines in the background wall to add some form to the room. A large black coat hangs behind the ballerina.