Musée d'Orsay
24 September 2019 - 19 January 2020
National Gallery of Art, Washington
1 March to 5 July 2020
Throughout his entire career, from his debut in the 1860s up
to his final works after 1900, the Opera formed the focal point of
Degas’ output. It was his “own room”. He explored the theatre’s various
spaces - auditorium and stage, boxes, foyers, and dance studios - and
followed those who frequented them: dancers, singers, orchestral
musicians, audience members, and black-attired subscribers lurking in
the wings. This closed world presented a microcosm of infinite
possibilities allowing all manner of experimentations: multiple points
of view, contrasts of lighting, the study of motion and the precision of
movement.
This is the first exhibition to consider the Opera as a whole, examining not only Degas’ passionate relationship with the House and his musical tastes, but also the infinite resources of this marvellous ‘toolbox’. The work of a truly great artist offers us the portrait of the Paris Opera in the 19th century.
Exhibition organized by the Musée d'Orsay and Musée de l'Orangerie, Paris and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, where it will be presented from 1 March to 5 July 2020 on the occasion of the three hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Paris Opera.
This is the first exhibition to consider the Opera as a whole, examining not only Degas’ passionate relationship with the House and his musical tastes, but also the infinite resources of this marvellous ‘toolbox’. The work of a truly great artist offers us the portrait of the Paris Opera in the 19th century.
General curator
Henri LoyretteCurators
Leila Jarbouai, graphic arts curator at the Musée d'Orsay, Marine Kisiel, curator at the Musée d'Orsay and Kimberly Jones, curator of 19th century French paintings at the National Gallery of Art in WashingtonExhibition organized by the Musée d'Orsay and Musée de l'Orangerie, Paris and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, where it will be presented from 1 March to 5 July 2020 on the occasion of the three hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Paris Opera.
- Edgar Degas
- French, 1834 - 1917
- Dancers at the Old Opera House
- c. 1877
- pastel over monotype on laid paper
- overall: 21.8 x 17.1 cm (8 9/16 x 6 3/4 in.)
- framed: 35.5 x 31.1 x 3.8 cm (14 x 12 1/4 x 1 1/2 in.)
- Lemoisne 1946, no. 432
