The Degas Collection at Purdue

The Degas Collection at Purdue is comprised of 74 sculptures by French impressionist Edgar Degas given to the University by Avrum Gray (B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1956). The collection features “La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans (Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen),” one of the artist’s signature creations and most iconic works.

Known primarily as a painter, Degas created small wax, clay, and plaster sculptures that were discovered in his studio after his death in 1917. In fact, the only figurine cast during his lifetime was a plaster of the “Little Dancer.” A 1903 plaster cast of “Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen” is in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The Degas Collection at Purdue includes a bronze of “Little Dancer” cast in 1997 by Valsuani Foundry from the 1903 plaster.

Purdue Galleries will exhibit the full collection of bronzes on campus in Fall 2024.