埃德加∙德加

藝術家身後（售出：喬治·帕蒂畫廊，巴黎「埃德加·德加工作室之首部分出售」，1918年5月6 – 8日，品號295）
奧斯卡·斯德蒂奈，巴黎
賈斯汀·K·譚豪斯，紐約
芭芭拉·施爾茲·庫沃力，紐約（售出：紐約蘇富比，1990年5月17日，拍品編號120）
現藏家購於1993年

保羅·安德烈·勒芒斯內，《德加的藝術》，巴黎，1946年，第 III 冊，品號1326，第775頁載圖
弗蘭科·盧梭里與菲麗拉·米奈維諾，《德加作品全集》，米蘭，1970年，品號1120，第136頁載圖

Executed on two joined sheets of cream laid paper, laid down on the artist's board, which has been laid down on board. There are artist's pinholes at intervals along the extreme edges. The pastel is fresh and unfaded. Apart from a small water stain underneath the skirt of the right-hand figure and a very fine hairline surface abrasion to the dancer's skirt in the top left, only visible at close inspection, this work is in very good condition. Colours: Overall fairly accurate in the printed catalogue illustration, although slightly fresher and more contrasted in the original.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

《廳前二舞者》作於十九世紀末，畫中準備演出的芭蕾舞者是德加最愛的主題之一。德加自1860年代開始便熱愛舞蹈，年輕時經常是芭蕾舞、歌劇、咖啡廳音樂會及馬戲表演的座上客。他切身感受演出現場的風采活力，又對表演者作寫生，古典芭蕾舞的優美韻律及舞者在休息時放鬆自然的動態皆為其研習對象和靈感泉源。在這其中，吸引德加的不僅是芭蕾舞團的演出，更是他們在台下的大千世界，無論是排練室和舞蹈課的情景，還是舞者在演出前的緊張情緒與演出過後的自在神態，都盡收藝術家筆下。

縱觀德加的藝術發展，他對芭蕾舞者這個創作主題的處理手法曾有著根本性的蛻變。藝術家在後期漸少前往芭蕾舞表演現場，開始在工作室根據模特作畫，1890年代起更以自己拍的照片作為創作參考。表演現場的翩翩舞姿轉瞬即逝，而在工作室裡德加則可隨意擺佈模特。此幅作品是德加在1898年左右對兩位舞者在上場前和表演後所畫的幾幅粉彩畫之一。藝術家在這時期的粉彩作品中減少了對線條的刻畫，焦點轉向色彩，此作便充分呈現了這種新穎灑脫的表達手法。