Edgar Degas was born in Paris, France in 1834. At age 21 he entered the prestigious Ecole des Beaux Arts school but left soon after to become an independent painter, sculptor, and graphic artist. Degasí compositions often depict a picturesque quality as he often experimented with photography and used photographs as aids in his paintings. Unlike other painters in his time, Degas attempted to include the darker side of modern life in Paris during the 19th Century. One of his favorite themes was that of ballet dancers. This painting is just one of many featuring ballerinas and shows off his Realist/Impressionist style. It is currently owned by collector Robert L. Froehlich