Orchestra Musicians, 1872 (1874 – 1876)

Dimensions: 63.6 x 49.0 cm

Physical Description: Oil on canvas

Inventory Number: SG 237

Acquisition: Acquired in 1912

Status: On display

Texts

About the Work

This was originally a horizontal-format painting: the musicians in the orchestra pit at the centre and, on the stage in the background, the ballet dancers, with only the lower halves of their bodies visible. Degas later trimmed the canvas on both sides and extended it at the top. In the version thus revised, the focus on the musicians has widened to include the stage and its dancers. This work launches the long series of ballet depictions for which Degas is as well known today as he is for his unusual ways of framing his scenes.

Audio & Video

00:50

Basic information
01:45

Focus on art history
01:57

Focus on cultural history

Kunst|Stück – Edgar Degas: Die Orchestermusiker

Sammlungshighlights des Städel Museums in unterhaltsamen und informativen Filmen – das sind die Kunst|Stücke. Entdecken Sie spannende Details zu Kunstwerken aus ungewöhnlichen Blickwinkeln in unter zwei Minuten. Edgar Degas: Die Orchestermusiker (1872), Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main. https://sammlung.staedelmuseum.de/de/werk/die-orchestermusiker#yt

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: Orchestra Musicians

Painter

Edgar Degas

Period Produced

19th century

School

Impressionism

Object Type

painting (artwork)

Physical Description: Oil on canvas

Material

canvas

Technique

Label at the Time of Manufacture: Signiert unten rechts: Degas

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Administration

Modern Art 1800–1945

Collection

Städtische Galerie

Picture Copyright: © Städel Museum

Acquisition: Acquired in 1912

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

genre

Main Motif

Iconclass

Primary

48C753 more than one musician with instrument
48C7312 viola, violoncello; double bass
48C8422 female dancer

Secondary

48CC844 ballet dress - CC - female
25G11 groups of trees

Associative

48C8131 backdrop

Research and Discussion

Conservation and Restoration

Art-technology findings and/or documentation regarding conservation and restoration are available for this work. If interested, please contact .

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