Dancer in pink dress

"Waiting," a pastel on paper by Edgar Degas created between 1880–1882, exemplifies his exploration of ballerinas within the Impressionism movement. This work is notable for its vibrant colouring and steep perspective, capturing a fleeting moment of a dancer in pink dress as she waits backstage. Degas’s focus on genre painting reflects his interest in everyday life and the human form, making his depiction of ballet dancers both artistic and intimate. As one of over 200 works featuring ballerinas, "Waiting" highlights Degas’s mastery in conveying movement and atmosphere through pastel media.