Edgar Degas
The Russian Dancer

Public Domain

ExpandFavorite

Artist Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917)French, 1834–1917

CultureFrench

Titles

The Russian Dancer
The Russian Dancers

Date1895

PlaceParis, France

MediumPastel and charcoal on joined paper laid down on board

DimensionsSheet: 26 3/16 × 22 1/8 in. (66.5 × 56.2 cm)
Mat (window): 25 1/2 × 21 1/2 in. (64.8 × 54.6 cm)

Credit LineGift of the Sara Lee Corporation

Object number2000.115

Not on view

Explore Further

Department

Prints and Drawings

Object Type

DRAWINGS, PASTELS & WATERCOLORS

DescriptionThis pastel is from a series Edgar Degas drew of dancers from the Ukraine who performed in Paris in the late 1890s. Degas was fascinated by their strange, rhythmic movements and by their colorful costume.
ProvenanceAtelier Edgar Degas, Paris; [Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, December 11-13, 1918 (Sale 2), lot 122]; Collection Veron, Paris, 1940's; Nathan Cummings (1896-1985), Chicago; Alan H. Cummings (1926-1986), Palm Beach, Florida; Sara Lee Corporation, until donated to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, on April 10, 2000.
Exhibition History"La Collection Cummings d'Art Ancien du Perou et Peintures Françaises, XIXe-XXe Siècle," Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, March–May 1956; Palazzo Venezia, Rome, 1956.

"Paintings from the Cummings Collection," Minneapolis Institute of Arts, January 14–March 7, 1965.

"Selections from the Nathan Cummings Collection," National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., June 28–September 11, 1970; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, July 1–September 7, 1971.

"Major Works from the Collection of Nathan Cummings," Art Institute of Chicago, October 20–December 9, 1973.

"Degas: Beyond Impressionism," National Gallery, London, May 22–August 26, 1996; Art Institute of Chicago, September 28, 1996–January 12, 1997.

"Monet to Moore: The Millenium Gift of the Sara Lee Corporation," Singapore Museum of Art, April 1–May 30, 1999; National Gallery of Australlia, Canberra, June 11–August 22, 1999; North Carolina Museum of Art, Raliegh, September 10–November 7, 1999; Portland Art Museum, Oregon, November 19, 1999–January 25, 2000; The Art Institute of Chicago, March 13–May 28, 2000.

"Degas: A New Vision," National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, June 24–September 18, 2016; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, October 14, 2016–January 8, 2017.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

There is a label on the verso of the frame: "The Art Institute of Chicago / Edgar Degas / Russian Dancer / Pastel, charcoal on paper / Sara Lee Corporation / Cat 91".

There is a label on the verso of the frame: "The Art Institute of Chicago / Exhibition: Degas; Beyond Impressionism / Dates September 25, 1996 - January 5, 1997 / Lender: Sara Lee Corporation / Chicago, IL / Artist: Edgar Degas / Title: Russian Dancer / Medium: pastel and charcoal / Catalog #91".

There is a label on the verso of the frame: "The National Gallery Trafalgar Square London WCZN5DN / Telephone 071-839-3321 / Exhibition: Degas; Beyond Impressionism / Number: X2412 / Artist: Degas, Hilair-Germain-Edgar / Title Russian Dancer / owner: IL, Chicago, Sara Lee Corp.".

There is a label on the verso of the frame: "The Painting by Edgar Degas, "Russian / Dancing Girl" is the property of - / Mr. Alan H. Cummings / 150 Bradley Place / Palm Beach, Florida, 33480".

There is a label on the verso of the frame: "Collezione / Cummings / Roma 1956 / Pallazzo / Venezia".

There is a label on the verso of the frame: "Musée Des Arts Décoratifs / Palais du Louvre - Pavillon de Marsan / 107, rue de Rivoli, Paris (1st) / Mars - Mai 1956 / Degas-Danseuse Russe."

There is a label on the verso of the frame: "The Minneapolis / Institute / of Art / No. L64.465.10 / Lent by Cummings Collection".

There is a label on the verso of the frame: "Musée des Arts décoratifs".

There is a label on the verso of the frame: "NAME FC (m) / Receipt and Item no 8339019-02".

There is a label on the verso of the frame: "MFA / Magenta / F.A. Inc / 47-15 5th Street / L.I.C., NY, 11101 / (718) 937-0373 / stock #684 E.S."

Stamped in red with signature, recto, lower left: "Degas"

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.