EDGAR DEGAS - Blue Dancers

THE ARTWORK

"Blue Dancers" is a renowned pastel artwork created by Edgar Degas around 1897. It depicts four ballet dancers in vibrant blue tutus, captured mid-movement. Known for his fascination with the world of dance, Degas masterfully conveys the elegance and fluidity of their motions. The dancers appear from varying angles, creating a dynamic composition that suggests a rotating motion, almost as if the viewer is peering at a scene unfolding in real time.

The pastel’s vivid blue hues, soft textures, and rhythmic curves highlight Degas' skill in using color and light to express the delicate forms and energy of his subjects. He employed his characteristic cropping technique, influenced by photography and Japanese prints, which gives the composition a spontaneous, intimate feel. Blue Dancers is celebrated for its portrayal of beauty and grace, encapsulating Degas’ lifelong exploration of movement, form, and the ballet's enchanting world.

THE ARTIST

Edgar Degas (1834–1917) was a French artist renowned for his paintings, sculptures, and drawings, primarily focused on ballet dancers, everyday life scenes, and horse racing. A founding member of the Impressionist movement, he differed in his approach, favoring studio work over plein-air painting and emphasizing precision, draftsmanship, and composition rather than the pure depiction of light.

Born in Paris, Degas originally studied law before dedicating himself to art. He was influenced by Old Masters like Ingres and the compositional techniques of Japanese prints. Degas experimented with various media, from oil and pastels to bronze and printmaking, developing a unique style that blended classical formality with modern subjects.

Though associated with the Impressionists, Degas rejected the label, preferring to call himself a "realist." His work is known for its psychological depth and dynamic compositions, often capturing fleeting gestures and movement. His most iconic pieces, such as The Ballet Rehearsal and The Little Dancer of Fourteen Years, reveal a fascination with human form and performance.

Degas' legacy endures as one of the 19th century’s most innovative artists, bridging traditional and modern art while portraying the nuances of contemporary life.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit