Dancers in Blue (Danseuses bleues)
Reproduction print (likely a museum postcard or small offset lithograph) on cardstock • After Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917)
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Mechanical offset printing reproduction of an original oil painting
Creation Period
Original painting circa 1890-1895; this reproduction likely late 20th century (c. 1970-1990)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 4 x 6 inches (image only); Portrait orientation, housed in a larger vertical mat and simple wood frame
Subject Description
The image depicts a group of ballet dancers in turquoise-blue tutus seen from a high, cropped vantage point characteristic of Degas's later work. The composition focuses on the rhythmic arrangement of limbs and the play of light on silk and tulle, capturing a candid behind-the-scenes moment typical of the artist's obsession with the Paris Opera ballet.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; the print shows signs of fading and the mount is slightly discolored. The framing is basic and commercial grade.
Estimated Market Value
$5 - $20 USD
Auction Estimate
$0 - $30 USD (Typically considered a low-value decorative item rather than an auction-grade lot)
Provenance History
Likely acquired as a souvenir from a museum collection (The original painting is in the Musée d'Orsay, Paris). No significant decorative or fine art provenance is suggested by the presentation.
Art Historical Significance
While the original painting is a masterpiece of late 19th-century Impressionism, this specific piece is a contemporary mechanical reproduction. It serves as a decorative homage to Degas’s innovative use of Japanese-inspired cropping and his mastery of capturing movement in mundane professional settings.
Notable Features
The piece features Degas's signature high-angle perspective and unconventional cropping, which revolutionized modern composition. The simple, light-colored wood frame is a standard retail frame from the late 20th century.
Condition Issues
Visible yellowing of the mat board; potential light-induced fading of the blue pigments in the print; simple modern frame shows minor surface wear.
Conservation Recommendations
No professional conservation recommended due to the item's status as a commercial print. To prevent further fading, keep out of direct sunlight and replace acidic matting with archival material if sentimental value warrants it.