Study of a ballet dancer

Although undated this is a work consistent with Orpen's Slade student days, 1897-9. It could well have been inspired by Degas' Dancer drawings or even his sculpture Little Dancer at the Age of Fourteen (1880-1). Both strike a pose that suggest a haughtiness, the prerogative of talented youth, an arrogance perhaps shared with the artist himself.

This work will be included in the catalogue raisonné currently being prepared by Christopher Pearson of the Orpen Research Project.