English: Edgar Degas, French, Born 1834. Died 1917

Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen Executed in wax 1878-81; Cast in bronze after 1922 Bronze cast, tulle and silk by the foundry Adrien Hébrard Paris Degas depicted young ballet dancers—in performances, at rehearsals, or at moments of exhausted rest—in numerous paintings, drawings, pastels, and monotypes. In 1878 he added sculpture to his investigation of the theme. A young dancer named Marie van Goethem posed for what would be the only sculpture that Degas exhibited in his lifetime. Originally executed in wax and shown in 1881, the work daringly incorporated real elements such as the dancer’s tulle tutu and silk hair ribbon. The sculpture was cast in bronze around 1922, several years after Dega’s death.

The Henry P. McIlhenny Collection in memory of Frances P. McIlhenny, 1986-26-11 From the placard: Philadelphia Museum of Art.

(Degas knew, that with dance, she would rise above it all).