Edgar Degas

Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans marks the transition from classical to modern sculpture. With the image of the young ballerina in a restrained and realistic pose, the French master not only captured the beauty of ballet life but also the tension between the discipline of ballet and the vulnerability of youth. More than a century later, Ryan Gander reflects on Degas' work with a series of ballerina sculptures in unexpected or everyday situations, with the most poetic titles. His reinterpretations raise questions about the idealization of the ballerina and the role of art in presenting reality versus fiction.

Brigitte Bloksma, director of the Beelden aan Zee museum and curator of the exhibition, emphasizes: “The relationship between Degas' original work and Gander's approach offers a fascinating reflection on the perception of the ballerina and the subtle boundaries between art and everyday life. It shows how artists throughout time deal with themes such as movement, youth, and vulnerability.”