


Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917), known for his fascination with ballet dancers.It depicts a ballet class in a rehearsal room of the old Paris Opéra, with the famous ballet master Jules Perrot overseeing the dancers. Degas created two notable versions of this work: one from 1874 housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and another created between 1874 and 1876 located at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. The painting captures the dancers in various moments of rehearsal, from practicing moves to adjusting costumes or simply resting, showcasing a candid and intimate view of the ballet world. It's considered one of Degas's most ambitious works on the theme of dance, offering insights into the rigorous training and behind-the-scenes life of ballerinas in the late 19th century.