Dancers in the Wings

Edgar Degas

1880

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

About this work

This print shows three dancers in a dimly lit room, their backs to us. One holds a pose with arms raised, while the other two stand close together, almost touching. The background is dark and full of swirling lines, like curtains or shadows. Notice how the artist used sharp lines to show the dancers’ movements—it’s almost like they’re caught mid-step. The lighting is soft, focusing on their shapes more than details. This is made using etching, drypoint, and aquatint, a mix of techniques that create both fine lines and shaded areas.