- Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas, Nude Study for Little Dancer of Fourteen Years, XIX, 1879–80. Bronze, 27 3/8 x 11 9/16 x 11 15/16 in. Private Collection.
The other night at Christie’s, one of Degas’s little dancers, Petite danseuse de quatorze ans (circa 1879-1881), was auctioned off. Having come to love this early study of the work in our current exhibition, perhaps I should have bid.
“Petite danseuse de quatorze ans,” complete with a muslin fabric skirt and satin hair ribbon, crashed at an imaginary $18.5 million (est. $25-35 million).” Oh my. Went for a song.
At that price, maybe could have bought two! But seriously, I can’t imagine owning such an iconic work. I grew up looking at one at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art and have always loved it and its relations, like the one in our show.
Look forward to seeing it and all The Phillip’s offerings soon; so wish I could get out of Roanoke and be there tomorrow!