ellen klijzing

“Les petits rats”

Textile, plaster, acrylic

Variable dimensions

2024

In the 19th century, the Paris Opera was as much about art as it was about prostitution. To make the opera profitable, ‘le Foyer de la danse’ was established, an exclusive and sumptuously decorated backstage salon, where the wealthy ‘abonnés’, members of the elite, consisting exclusively of aristocrats, enjoyed a kind of ‘droit de seigneur’ over the young dancers. At private parties in the salon, they were expected to provide sexual services.

These young ballerinas were called Les Petits Rats, the little rats of the opera. Most of them came from poor and dieprived families, and the hope for a better future often rested on the shoulders of a daughter with dancing talent. Only a minority of these young dancers would become famous and earn a decent salary.

The most famous of these girls was Marie Van Goethem. She was of Belgian descent and was the model for Degas’ beautiful statue of a 14-year-old dancer.