The original is the best!

The National Gallery Washington DC has the original wax copy of "The Little Dancer" by Degas. This sculpture came from the collection of Paul Mellon.

The sculpture is much crisper in detail than the bronze copies. The colour is much richer as it is not relying on chemical oxidation to create the dark patina. It was a revelation to see this artwork, particulary as curated by the National Gallery Washington DC, in a room with many other Degas maquettes and bronzes.

To learn more about this incredible artwork I can recommend the BBC DVD "Private life of a masterpiece", which details the detective work undertaken by conservation staff at the National Gallery Washington DC.

Photographs taken by Mrs Matthews-Art Teacher.