Degas and the Dance: The Painter and the Petits Rats, Perfecting their Art

by Susan Goldman Rubin

A brilliantly illustrated book examines the behind-the-scenes inspirations that led to the creation of more than 30 paintings and drawings by Degas featuring a diverse ensemble of ballerinas, from little girls practicing to performing prima ballerinas.

Genres: Art, Biography, Nonfiction, History, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Susan Goldman Rubin is the author of more than forty-five books for young people, including Andy Warhol: Pop Art Painter; The Yellow House: Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin Side by Side; and Edward Hopper: Painter of Light and Shadow. A long-time instructor in the UCLA Extension Writers Program, Susan Goldman Rubin lives in Malibu, California.

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to be a ballerina when I was a little girl - didn't we all, that or a princess, but it wasn't something my parents were willing to let me do. My unl9ving mother always changed the things I wanted to something else. Clothes, presents, books, even ambitions... I know she didn't love me, but looking back, this is like spite. Why? To a small child? Because I was a girl, because I wasn't my brother who was just like her, because? because because? I'll never know. She sent me to piano lessons instead. That lasted two lessons, then I wet the seat and that was that. (I was too afraid of the teacher to ask for the toilet and thought I could hold it.)

So I drew and painted and fell in love with a bronze statue of my grandmother's, of a ballerina in a style after Degas and eventually I found Degas and fell in love with his pictures too. I think what is special about Degas was that his work was all action and his ability to paint light with a delicate, but enlivening touch was quite marvellous even among the wonderful impressionists of the time.

Goodreads doesn't have the old, calfskin-bound book I had, so I'm adding this one instead.
14 Feb 2022

[Sara Felice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed the paintings by Degas, I find them very captivating. Which sparked my interest in reading this book. I found the information about his painting technique interesting and enjoyed looking through over thirty pieces of his paintings. I would have liked the book more if it had discussed Degas life and who he was as a person, rather than the book being entirely about his paintings.

[Bruce Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book of paintings with text. Degas goes backstage with the young ladies who aspire to be ballet dances- and draws and paints them incessantly. He was fatherly and concered for the 'young rats' as they were known. A great short insight into the mind of an artist.

“Drawing,” Degas once said, “is not what one sees, but what one can make others see.” Susan Goldman Rubin, Degas and the Dancers, (New York: H. N. Abrams, 2002), 29

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful paintings! I didn’t know much about Degas aside from him being a famous painter. I love how he plays with perspective in his work and uses little spots of color and light to accent what he wants to feature.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this children's book about Degas and the young dancers he studied for his paintings. It's a good instruction to the artist.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book for anyone interested in the concept of "practice;" the concept of the process. I happen to admire Degas immensely, ever since viewing his work at the Guggenheim museum in New York as a child. In this book, the perseverance of the child dancers is paralleled to the perseverance of the painter, as they work side by side, encouraging each other, admiring each other, and relating to one another.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using the artwork of Degas, this picture book biography shows how Degas studied the ballet students (petits rats) and related his artwork to the training it takes to become a ballerina. He studied the ballerinas in the studios and in their performances. Beautiful illustrations, the work of Degas, are portrayed throughout this picture book biography for students in grades 2 through 5.

[Alexandria Hiam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using the artwork of Degas, this picture book biography shows how Degas studied the ballet students (petits rats) and related his artwork to the training it takes to become a ballerina. He studied the ballerinas in the studios and in their performances. Beautiful illustrations, the work of Degas, are portrayed throughout this picture book biography for students in grades 2 through 5.

[Misbah · Rating 3 out of 5]

About the life of Degas the painter and his iconic paintings and painting style.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juvenile Section Book. Interesting introduction to Degas style for young minds and old.