He exhibited regularly with the Impressionists 1874-86.
Degas was different from all other Impressionists because he would not paint outside. He would use pastels and sketch the scene first. Photography was just being introduced into the world and he was keen to experiment with it. When a picture was taken it took many seconds before the picture was actually printed, and sometimes found people walking in and out of the frame.
Degas has composed this painting by placing the focal point to the right.
The painting is of a ballet examination. The ballerinas are stretching along the sides of the room and on the Bar while sitting off centre is two men, examiners, watching the girls and talking about them.
Degas may have started on the right side of the sheet, with the men at the centre of the picture, when he may have added the second sheet as he came to an end of the first part - the right side.
Degas regularly did this. He would almost finish a piece then somehow radically schange it by adding more to it, removing paint or by painting over the features.
This painting holds a foreground - the ballerina's warming-up, the middle distance - the examiners and a background - more ballerinas stepping through the double doors coming into the room. There is also more ballerinas warming-up along the back wall. He has created depth by using shadow of light that has come through the window to the right of Degas. This is creating very dark colours in the corners and pale light colours in the centre of the room.
The artist used a lot of green on the walls in the room and he used a lot of white and pale pink for the ballerina's dresses and the men in white suits. The floor consists of a dark brown, getting lighter and darker in areas.
This painting gives me the feeling that the men will critisise everything they do. That they are being watched all the time which makes me think it is an examination.
