Master By Laurent Pichereau, France, 2023 (65 X 50)

Laurent Pichereau’s painting is inspired by Edgar Degas’s iconic The Dance Class, capturing the essence of Degas’s work while adding his own reflection on mentorship and the journey of learning. Pichereau emphasizes that "the important thing is not the destination but the journey," focusing on the master who guides students along their path. Dance, a demanding art form, requires both discipline and dedication to excel—values Pichereau respects in this homage. In his interpretation, Pichereau preserves the perspective and movement central to Degas’s original, while drawing attention to the teacher’s stick, a symbol of authority, wisdom, and experience. Like Degas, who immersed himself in the opera world to observe dancers in training, Pichereau stays true to these details to honor the importance of the teacher’s role. His work also resonates with the present-day need for knowledge transmission, reminding us of the lasting value of mentorship in an increasingly digital era. The most challenging aspect of this piece was the meticulous reproduction of the dancers’ dresses, which Pichereau accomplished through careful drawing. This work not only stands as a tribute to Degas but also underscores the timeless relevance of learning from the past.