Degas as sculptor

"You can only reach the truth through modelling because this imposes a constraint that forces the artist to include everything that matters."
Edgar Degas
Sculpture predominates at the museum of Roubaix, mainly because of the numerous works there on permanent loan from the Musée d'Orsay. The friendly dialogue maintained by these two institutions engendered the idea for an exhibition that would highlight one of the Musée d'Orsay's exceptional collections, displayed for the first time outside its original setting.
In fact, the Musée d'Orsay has one of the 23 series of original bronzes cast by the founder Hébrard from five wax models found in Edgar Degas' studio after his death in 1917. This set, dominated by the world-famous Little Dancer aged 14, is therefore presented exclusively at the art and industry museum, La Piscine. As well as the bronzes, associated paintings, drawings, pastels, engravings and photographs are exhibited thanks to prestigious loans from great French and international museums and from generous collectors.
All the artist's favourite themes are evoked – the nude, dance and the horse -giving us a view of all his different forms of expression. It is one of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of modern sculpture, a unique attempt at Impressionist sculpture, and an example of sculpture by a painter, as practised by some of the greatest artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.