Why this Ballerina by Degas was called a Monster!

[@km72327]

the beeswax and real human hair is shocking to me, I imagine it almost looking like a toy doll with that brushable hair little girls like. Definitely makes me look at it differently

[@TurquoiseInk]

It's definitely shocking. Knowing I am looking at a statue of a "Little Rat", a 14 year old child that was prostituted, has definitely changed how I see this and all his works.

[@Lilsoupgremlin]

@@TurquoiseInk It's worse when you read the book about the model "Little Dancer, Age Fourteen" and realize she went missing several years after posing for Degas. There also might be organs hidden inside the original, as an Xray showed "organic material" inside, and wax was often used for organ preservation.

[@phoenixgrove]

Great presentation. This work by Degas always haunted me.

[@GiovanniAloiArtifact]

Thank you!

[@DangelyOnes]

When I was growing up, we had one here in Omaha at the Joslyn Art Museum. Even though I was only a preteen myself the first time I saw it, it was so powerful it almost made me cry, and I didn't really know why. I will never forget the experience. If you ever get a chance to view one close-up, DO IT!

[@SuperMan-xy8ui]

The Met’s 1922 bronze casting has a full knee-length skirt like ballet dancers wore back in 1880s rather than the short skirts that they wore in 1920s when the bronze castings were made.

[@RaeCarson]

They're called romantic or romantic-style tutus. ❤

[@Giancarlo_DellErnia]

What a wonderful video. Thanks a lot!

[@GiovanniAloiArtifact]

Thank you!

[@tottiemae2258]

This was a fascinating presentation! I got to see this piece when it was on tour at the Phoenix Art Museum. I wish I had known this then. You packed that video with so much information. What an education! Thank you!

[@GiovanniAloiArtifact]

Thank you!

[@mysticmouse7261]

So moving so beautiful Degas a revolutionary artist.

[@abby-9921]

it’s disgusting did he want to challenge the idea or was he obsessed with it

[@kunyuan7155]

I got to know Degas and his work 3 days ago. Thanks for sharing.

[@voyeurchamp]

Its an essential perspective you bring for the admirers of this iconic work. Cheers.

[@grindermachine8856]

Very educational brah

[@forrestnolan1168]

thank you for making this!

[@ruthharwood3707]

Ripper?

[@sarahannepadovani]

Yeah I'm here from that video, too.

[@lordjim3109]

It does look creepy.

[@johnallen1684]

Degas' s little dancer 14 yo is my favorite piece of art . Like your first love. I am a New Orleanian and very familiar with Edgar Degas from his history there. And yes, there is another bronze of her is at NOMA on permanent display. Love at first sight!

[@TurquoiseInk]

Did you watch the video and grasp that he made a lifelike statue of a 14 year old child that was prostituted? Knowing that makes it creepy and sad to me now.

[@CynymonGirl]

We have one of her at the St. Louis Art Museum. Whose idea was it to put a real silk ribbon of the back of her braid? It looks very contrived to me.

[@GiovanniAloiArtifact]

well, that was Degas's original idea...

[@CynymonGirl]

@@GiovanniAloiArtifact THANK YOU so much for replying and clarifying about the ribbon. Now I love the ribbon! Thanks again

[@GiovanniAloiArtifact]

@@CynymonGirl My pleasure!

[@valeriemcdonald440]

Was he trying to say something to the public, or just himself? His interest was hanging out backstage and painting what were essentially little human trafficking victims. Maybe this is just how he perceived his subject, and people though it was gross. He had to include 'age 14' in the title too. Yuck.

[@GiovanniAloiArtifact]

Certain things we will never know and drawing assumptions based on today's morals and values just skews history even more. You can read more about what evidence we actually have about his relationship with the ballerinas he painted and sculpted here: news.artnet.com/art-world/art-bites-little-dancer-degas-2453012