In The 19th Century, Ballet Dancers Wanted To Be Seen As Professionals, But Society Got In The Way

And the kind of “society” we’re talking about here is the kind you can see in Degas paintings: Wealthy older gentlemen wanted to buy attention and “love.” The Paris Opera Ballet was the prime example. “Throughout the 19th century, it raised the bar for dance — but on the backs of many exploited young women.”