The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage

This very unusual mixed-media picture shows a rehearsal for a ballet. The view is from a slightly elevated point above the orchestra pit; the scrolls of two double basses are just visible in the foreground radically cropped at the bottom of the canvas. At left dancers wait in the wings while other dancers rehearse at center stage. The ballet master in a black suit at midground leads the motion on stage with his fingers like a conductor. Two male abonnés (season subscribers) sit at the far right of the stage. The painting incorporates the use of the solvent turpentine with oil paint ink drawing pastel and watercolor (see Technical Notes). It is related to several other works by Degas discussed below.