"Documenting one of only four complete, "vintage" sets of the bronzes, this lavishly illustrated catalogue presents for the first time stunning color images of the sculptures together with the archival photographs taken by Gautier of the original models found in Degas's studio in 1917-1918, and the historic photographs taken fifty years ago by the well-known Swiss art photographer Leonard von Matt." "The essays offer the general reader an exploration of Degas and his sculpture. Included are an interview with Degas himself, introductions to mid-century exhibitions, and reflections of contemporary thinking on the artist, his motivations, and the complex casting history of these works. The appendixes cover the results of extensive recent research into newly available archives, some previously published only in French."--BOOK JACKET.