An Exploration of Modernity in Degas' The Dance Class Painting

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of Edgar Degas' painting, "The Dance Class." It explores how the artwork embodies the concept of modernity through its Impressionist style and depiction of a dance studio scene. The essay examines Degas' techniques, including his use of line, perspective, and the illusion of spontaneity, to emphasize the ballerinas and their interaction with the ballet master. The painting, created in 1874, is viewed as a pioneering example of modern art, reflecting societal changes and a departure from traditional art forms. The analysis highlights Degas' focus on capturing reality rather than idealizing it, solidifying the painting's significance in the context of Impressionism and modern art movements. The essay references the ballet master Jules Perrot, the Paris Opera, and the influence of the opera singer Jean Baptiste Faure on the commission of the work, further contextualizing the painting within its historical and artistic framework.

Running head: THE DANCE CLASS OF DEGAS
The Dance Class of Degas
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1THE DANCE CLASS OF DEGAS
Art is considered to be the mirror of the society. The realities as it exists in the society,
finds their expression in the various art forms as paintings, dance, music and other cultural forms
of expression. With the changes in time, the various art forms have also changed. One of the
most important transformation that has been brought about in the society is with regard to the
introduction of the idea of ‘modernity’1. In essay tries to understand how the painting of Degas
known as the “Dance Class” evoke a sense of modernity among its viewers. In this respect, the
essay analyzes this painting and also tries to understand how it personifies the aspect of
modernity as observed in the contemporary world.
The painting of Degas and the Dance portrays a happy and satisfied photo within the field
of art. Edgar Degas is considered to an advocator of the field of Impressionism and sues the
passing sensations, the sensual surface and the momentary lights in order to provide an
underlying feature to his art work. In “The Dance Class” which was painted in the year of 1874,
Degas painted several ballerina which proved to be the most effective depiction of the
Impressionist art and all of its unique features2. The painting sought to provide the theme of a
dance class which was conducted under the guidance of Jules Perrot who was considered to be
one of the most famous ballet masters. The dance class was being held in the Paris Opera which,
in reality, was burnt down in the previous year. Furthermore, the painting also consisted of a
poster known as the Guillaume Tell, of Rosssini3. It was a tribute paid to the opera singer of Jean
Baptiste Faure, who in reality, was the one to commission the work to Edgar Degas.
1 Battisti, Federica, and Chiara Di Stefano. "Virtual Reality meets Degas: an immersive framework for art
exploration and learning." In 2018 7th European Workshop on Visual Information Processing (EUVIP), pp. 1-5.
IEEE, 2018.
2 "Edgar Degas The Dance Class – Kiama Art Gallery" 2019)
3 ("Edgar Degas | The Dance Class (1874) | Artsy" 2019)

2THE DANCE CLASS OF DEGAS
The painting of “The Dance Class” is important as it shows the effective movement of
Degas towards the Impressionist form of art work. Within the painting, it can be observed that
Degas sought to bring about more expression within the ballerinas rather than focusing on the
painting as a whole4. Degas was successful in giving the illusion that the art was painted from a
raised platform. He made brilliant use of the elements of line and virtue to give this illusion
whereby the floor was painted in an oblique manner. The process of drawing is known as
‘heightened perspective”5.
Edgar Degas has put emphasis on the ballerina figure situated at the center whose sash
was being corrected by the ballet master. It gave the view of an emotional attachment of the
ballet master to the dancers and his primary objective of him teaching them the etiquettes of
dancing. One of the most unique features of this painting is its illusion of being a photography.
Degas wanted to create the idea of spontaneity to show that the painting is similar to being a
snapshot of a particular dance scene. Thus, the painting has a formal aspect attached to it.
The painting of “The Dance Class” of 1874 is considered to be modern in the sense that
included within itself all the techniques related to the contemporary form of art structure. The
strategic use of lines and the element of virtue to put emphasis only on the important objects
within the painting provides that Degas gave careful considerations while pursuing his work.
Furthermore, the use of Impressionism gives the idea that Degas was intended on giving a
modern aspect to his painting6. He sought to depict the world as it is instead of painting an ideal
image as found in the ancient forms of art work.
4 Metmuseum.Org, 2019
5 ("The Ballet Class, Edgar Degas: Analysis" 2019)
6 Meglin, Joellen A. "Degas' Magnificent Obsession: Degas and the Dance By Jill DeVonyar and Richard Kendall.
303 pp. Illustrated. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2002. $49.94 cloth, ISBN 0-8109-3282-2." (2007): 507-517.

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Thus, to conclude, it can be observed that the aspect of modernity and modernism is
found within the art work of Degas as panted by him. “The Dance Class” as painted by him,
depicts a dance studio whereby several ballerinas are being instructed by a ballet master. This
shows that Degas wanted to show the reality rather than painting a fictional image. The use of
Impressionism within this painting further reiterates the fact that Degas was convinced in
adhering to a movement which protested against the conventional forms of art work. “The Dance
Class” of 19874 can therefore be termed as one of the pioneering paintings of the modern art
work and the movement of Impressionism that began with it.

4THE DANCE CLASS OF DEGAS
References:
"Edgar Degas | The Dance Class (1874) | Artsy". 2019. Artsy.Net.
https://www.artsy.net/artwork/edgar-degas-the-dance-class.
"Edgar Degas The Dance Class – Kiama Art Gallery". 2019. Kiama Art Gallery.
https://kiamaartgallery.wordpress.com/tag/edgar-degas-the-dance-class/.
"The Ballet Class, Edgar Degas: Analysis". 2019. Visual-Arts-Cork.Com. http://www.visual-arts-
cork.com/paintings-analysis/ballet-class-degas.htm.
2019. Metmuseum.Org. https://www.metmuseum.org/en/art/collection/search/438817.
Battisti, Federica, and Chiara Di Stefano. "Virtual Reality meets Degas: an immersive
framework for art exploration and learning." In 2018 7th European Workshop on Visual
Information Processing (EUVIP), pp. 1-5. IEEE, 2018.
Meglin, Joellen A. "Degas' Magnificent Obsession: Degas and the Dance By Jill DeVonyar and
Richard Kendall. 303 pp. Illustrated. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2002. $49.94 cloth, ISBN 0-
8109-3282-2." (2007): 507-517.