Behind the scenes

The present work is one of a number of theatre studies by Orpen. 'In the Wings' was a favoured theme for a number of French artists working in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, although Degas, Honoré Daumier and Gavarni could all be included in their number, probably the greatest, and certainly the most prolific was Jean Louis Forain. Orpen would have appreciated the humour in many of these works, usually featuring ballet dancers and their 'protectors' or admirers looking on.