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The stunning portrait is a rapid shift in the usual style of Degas into greater detail with a tad bit of Impressionism within.
The painting showcases a stunning scene during a ballet, that captures the essence and beauty of nature intertwined with the female form. Degas often sought after this element throughout his work as it stunningly captivated endless different of femininity and grace. The piece showcases three women near the water, alongside a horse. The focal point of the piece is Eugenie Fiocre who is showcased in the middle wearing a blue dress. During the 19th century, she was significantly known as a principle dancer in the Paris Opera. She was immensely renowned for her captivating beauty, where she was even sculpted by renowned artist Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux. While Degas is often compared to his contemporaries Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, and Edgar Degas, this piece has a different feel to it. Degas intertwines both realism and Impressionism. Yet, there is yet another unknown element within the piece that gives the painting it’s own style. This is most likely the lively colours used throughout the piece sticking to a warm colour pallet, even with endless cool shades.
The focal point of the piece stands near the centre in a blue dress. Eugenie Fiocre is Seated against a grand rock in a stunning blue, slightly lavender, dress. Degas uses meticulous detailing to showcase the fabric of her skirt folded into one another near the bottom. The stunning blue fabric covers her chest in a light cape. Beneath her blue cloak, a yellow fluffy fabric fills the woman’s arms. It’s evident that a light design is showcased on the fabric, yet to meticulous to be seen by the human eye. near the centre of the womanÕs blue dress, a captivating red flower lays with endless ribbons falling beneath it. It seems as if this re fabric holds the blue dress together, adding another element to it.
The woman’s feet are bare as they gently fall into the water. Degas stunningly showcases how her feet are seen even while they’re submerged under the water. This is both to showcase his masterful detailing ability, alongside illustrate how clear the water is. The woman has an ethnic hat on her head, that falls into and endless white veil towards the ground. Near the bottom of the veil, the viewer can spot baby pink shoes sitting near the shore. As the woman gently leans in her arm, her hair falls towards her chest. A small white earring is visible on one of her ears. To the right of the woman, another individual stands in an upright position looking at the rocks. She is dressed in an orangey yellow dress with a brown belt amount her waist. This woman holds a small guitar in her hands that she gently plays.
Her rich brown hair covers a part of her face, as the lush material falls towards her waist. It is interesting to witness the woman in the yellow dress look towards the rocks, while the woman in the blue looks into the unknown. It seems as if the woman is transcended by the music, immersed in her thoughts. To the left of the piece, another woman dressed in a deep red dress is seated near the shore in a white cloak. A black belt covers her waist tied in a ribbon. The womanÕs deep brown hair waves outwards, as her face is evident to the viewer. Within the centre of the piece, a large brown horse bends downwards towards the water to drink. All of these stunning figures come together as one within the piece, adding to each other’s story.