The Dance Lesson

Edgar Degas

ca. 1879 · Pastel and black chalk on three pieces of wove paper, joined together · European Paintings

Degas made various adjustments to this composition, presumably to accommodate the violinist in his final design. He added strips of paper at the top and to the right, and there is evidence to suggest that he may have altered the dancer's pose. A pastel study for the musician is in the Museum's collection (19.51.1). The present work was formerly owned by Gustave Caillebotte, who probably bought it from or soon after the Impressionist exhibition of 1879. In 1894 he bequeathed it to Renoir, who sold it shortly thereafter.

Artist

Edgar Degas

Date

ca. 1879

Medium

Pastel and black chalk on three pieces of wove paper, joined together

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Gift of Adaline Havemeyer Perkins, in memory of her father, Horace Havemeyer, 1971