the National Gallery collection
Pictures Around Cromer
Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando

Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas

Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando, Degas, on the pier

Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando

Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas

You can find Miss La La on the Pier

Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando, 1879
Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas, 1834–1917
Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando 1879
Oil on canvas, 117.2 × 77.5 cm
Bought, Courtauld Fund, 1925
© The National Gallery, London

Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando

Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas

Oil on canvas, 117.2 × 77.5 cm

The Cirque Fernando was built in 1875 near the Place Pigalle in Paris, close to where Degas lived. He saw Miss La La perform there several times. Originally named Olga, she was a mixed-race circus performer famous for her feats of strength.

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Detail from Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas, Self-portrait © The Art Archive/Musée d’Orsay, Paris/Gianni Dagli Orti

Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas

Degas specialised in scenes of contemporary life, including dancers, entertainers and women at their toilette. His mastery of technique was superb, and he experimented with various media including pastel. Degas remains a popular artist today; his changing styles and preoccupations are well represented in the Collection.

read more at NationalGallery.org.uk