Conserving Degas

Watch a video about the construction of a new tutu for The Met's cast of Degas's famous sculpture, The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer. The Met's costume conservator Glenn Peterson discusses the history of the sculpture and the decisions made in the conservation of its tutu. The sculpture, usually on view at The Met Fifth Avenue, is currently featured in the exhibition Like Life: Sculpture, Color, and the Body (1300–Now), on view at The Met Breuer through July 22, 2018.

Featured Artwork:
Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917). The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer, model executed ca. 1880, cast 1922. French, Paris. Cast by A. A. Hébrard. Bronze, partially tinted, with cotton skirt and satin hair ribbon; wood base; 38 1/2 x 17 1/4 x 14 3/8 in. (97.8 x 43.8 x 36.5 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929 (29.100.370)

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/196439

Like Life: Sculpture, Color, and the Body (1300–Now) is on view at The Met Breuer from March 21 through July 22, 2018.

https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2018/like-life


Credits

This conservation project was made possible by Monika A. McLennan and children.

Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies

Director: Kate Farrell
Producer: Melissa Bell
Editor: Sarah Cowan
Camera: Wayne De La Roche, Dia Felix, Sarah Cowan, and Stephanie Wuertz
Production Coordinator: Kaelan Burkett
Production Assistant: Bryan Martin
Original Music: Austin Fisher

© 2018 The Metropolitan Museum of Art