Edgar Degas, The Ballet from Robert le Diable, 1871 Art Print

A thick, velvety darkness settles over the orchestra pit, contrasted sharply by the ethereal, ghostly glow of the stage dancers in the distance. This print captures a pivotal moment of 19th-century theatrical spectacle, where the silhouettes of the audience and musicians in the foreground create a voyeuristic window into the Paris Opera.

About Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas (1834–1917) exhibited with the Impressionists but preferred to call himself a realist. Degas is best known for ballet dancers, painted rehearsing and resting as often as performing. Impressionist painters often used pure, unmixed colours placed side by side to create vibrancy. The original image dates from 1871. He worked in pastel, oil and sculpture, and often used unusual, cropped viewpoints inspired by photography.

Styling this Edgar Degas print

This Edgar Degas print has a moody presence that sets the tone of a room. At 24×36″ it makes a statement above a console in a bedroom; at 12×18″ to 16×20″ it suits a hallway or gallery wall. A black or antique-gold frame suits this Edgar Degas print well and keeps the focus on the image.

At a glance

• Type: Edgar Degas print
• Artist: Edgar Degas
• Year: 1871
• Style: Impressionism
• Mood: moody
• Orientation: portrait
• Collections: Edgar Degas Posters, Impressionist Art Prints