Degas Ballerinas Chiffon Scarf

DESIGNER'S NOTES

An elegant Fox & Chave chiffon silk scarf in pastel shades from an element of the painting Four Ballerinas on the Stage, (c.1885/90) by the French artist Edgar Degas (1834-1917).

Degas often depicted ballet dancers from unconventional angles, such as from the wings of the stage, behind the scenes, or from an elevated viewpoint. This suggests a sense of detachment and observational distance, positioning him more as an observer than a participant. The perspective of viewing from the shadows, or hidden vantage points, reinforces a voyeuristic quality. It creates a sense of peering into a private or intimate world that is not entirely meant for public consumption.

The societal norms of 19th-century France heavily influenced Degas's work. The ballet was a space where issues of class, gender, and power intersected. Young, often working-class girls aspired to become dancers, a profession that subjected them to the scrutiny and desires of wealthy patrons and the public.

Degas’s art reflects these dynamics, capturing the vulnerability and resilience of the dancers within this cultural context.

COLOURS

STYLING

There are many ways to style a Fox & Chave chiffon silk scarf including the basic drape, belted drape and reverse drape. Our chiffon silk scarfs look really good worn in the bandit knot or faux infinity style too. More scarf styling ideas are available in this wonderful How to Tie a Scarf book.