Question

The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage by Edgar Degas. Ballet dancers rehearse onstage while a man watches in the corner and another man conducts the orchestra.

What Japanese characteristic did Degas use in the above painting, as well as much of his work?

Answer 1

In "The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage," Edgar Degas incorporated characteristics of Japanese art, particularly the use of asymmetrical composition and unusual viewpoints. This influence can be seen in the way he arranges elements within the painting, creating a sense of depth and movement while the dancers are depicted in various positions. Moreover, the positioning of the viewer, with the presence of the man observing in the corner, echoes the Japanese practice of focusing on a segment of a scene rather than presenting it all at once. These aspects reflect Degas's admiration for Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e), which significantly impacted his style and approach to composition.