Veronese Design 7 1/4 Inch Degas Little Dancer Aged Fourteen Cold Cast Resin Bronze Finish Sculpture

Edgar Degas' sculpture titled "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen" (French: "La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans") is one of the most famous and pioneering works in the history of sculpture. Created in 1881, this sculpture stands out for its extraordinary realism and the unconventional materials that Degas used. The sculpture depicts Marie van Goethem, a student at the Paris Opéra Ballet dance school. Degas was a frequent visitor to the Paris Opera House, where he was fascinated by the ballet dancers, who would become a central theme in his work. The "Little Dancer" is the only sculpture Degas exhibited publicly during his lifetime. Originally sculpted in wax, an unusual choice at the time, the figure is dressed in a real bodice, tutu, and ballet slippers and is adorned with a horsehair wig tied with a satin ribbon, adding to its lifelike appearance. The figure stands in a casual, relaxed position, yet there is a sense of tension and poise reflective of a ballet dancer. This combination of mixed media was revolutionary, blurring the lines between traditional sculpture and real-life objects. The original wax sculpture was displayed in the Sixth Impressionist Exhibition in 1881, where it received mixed reviews. Some critics praised the work for its innovation and realism, while others were shocked by its stark departure from idealized classical forms. After Degas' death in 1917, over 150 wax models were found in his studio. His heirs made the decision to have 74 of these cast in bronze, including the "Little Dancer," in collaboration with the Hébrard Foundry. These bronze casts helped to secure Degas' reputation as a major sculptor and allowed his three-dimensional work to be seen by a much wider audience. Today, the "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen" is celebrated as a masterful blend of artistic skill and innovation, marking a significant departure from conventional sculpture of its time. It is held in the collections of major museums around the world, including the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.