The Ballet Serie #1

Ballet came into my life quite unexpectedly, at a mature stage in my career. Through my profession, I connected with compatriots who were prima-dancers at the folk ballet in Prague. Immersed in their world, I found myself drawn to the elegance and discipline of ballet.

It felt like discovering a parallel universe — a completely different world existing alongside everyday life. Fascinated, I began to paint ballet scenes, not focusing on individuals but on the essence and movement of the art form.

My painting style during this period leaned toward impressionism, emphasizing expressive brushwork and emotional depth over fine detail. This series became a way to translate the fleeting beauty of dance into still images.

This is just the beginning. In the next part, I will share how my journey with ballet painting developed and where it eventually led.

What are your thoughts? I invite you to share your impressions in the comments below.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Two Ballerinas at the Barre), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows two young ballerinas standing at a ballet barre in a quiet studio. Both wear dark leotards and light-colored tutus. The ballerina on the left leans forward slightly, looking down with a thoughtful expression, while the ballerina on the right stands more upright and calm, her gaze directed outward.

The background is a warm beige with soft textures, suggesting an aged studio wall. The colors are muted and soft, mostly beige, taupe, and gentle purples. The brushstrokes are visible and painterly, adding texture and a sense of movement to the scene.

The mood is quiet and reflective, capturing a private moment of focus and dedication. The ballet barre stands as a symbol of discipline and practice, while the dancers represent grace and the effort behind artistic growth. The painting’s soft edges and muted tones suggest the fleeting and delicate nature of youth and art.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Young Ballerina at the Barre), Oil in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows a young ballerina standing at the barre. She wears a dark leotard with a short skirt and has her hair pulled back simply. Her posture is poised but relaxed, suggesting a quiet moment of thought or rest during practice. Her face is partially hidden, adding a sense of introspection.

The background features a studio wall split into warm reddish-pink and pale pinkish-white sections, creating a subtle contrast. The floor is suggested by a dark shadow at the bottom. The brushwork is loose and painterly, blending colors softly to capture the mood and movement rather than fine detail.

The overall feeling is calm and reflective, highlighting the discipline and dedication behind the art of ballet. The barre symbolizes the structure needed for mastery, while the contrasting colors hint at the internal challenges faced by the dancer.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Ballerina at the Barre), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows a single ballerina standing at a ballet barre, viewed from behind. She wears a dark purplish-burgundy bodice, a pale peachy-pink tutu, and pale gray leg warmers over her pointe shoes. Her posture is relaxed but poised, suggesting a quiet moment of concentration or rest.

The background is a warm blend of peach and apricot tones, softly textured with loose brushstrokes that create a dreamy, peaceful atmosphere. The light is soft and diffused, with no harsh shadows, enhancing the contemplative mood.

The artist uses an impressionistic style, focusing on color and texture rather than sharp details. The painting captures the dedication and quiet strength behind ballet, with the ballerina’s back view hinting at the private and introspective side of artistic practice.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Ballerinas Backstage), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows five young ballerinas backstage, dressed in off-white tutus. Their postures vary, from seated to standing, each expressing a different mood—from quiet thoughtfulness to weariness and resignation. The ballerina in the foreground looks down, lost in contemplation, while others show a mix of tension and calm.

The background is a deep crimson red, contrasting with the pale tutus and adding a sense of weight and seriousness. The light is soft and muted, casting subtle shadows that highlight the dancers’ forms without bright illumination.

The artist uses a painterly, impressionistic style with visible brushstrokes and textured surfaces. The focus is on mood and emotion rather than precise detail. The painting captures the quiet intensity and solitude behind the scenes, reflecting the emotional demands and isolation often experienced in the life of a ballerina.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Dancer and Reflection), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows a single dancer captured mid-stretch, with an arm extended high and body poised in a dynamic position. The dancer wears dark, simple clothing and has hair pulled back. Their reflection appears beside them, softly blurred and less defined, suggesting a mirror image.

The background is abstract, composed of muted yellows, greys, and purples with varied textures and soft, dappled lighting. The artist uses expressive brushstrokes to convey movement and emotion rather than fine detail.

The work explores themes of self-reflection, movement, and the inner experience of dance. The mirror reflection adds a layer of introspection and duality, emphasizing the dancer’s connection with themselves and the art.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Ballerina in Repose), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows a ballerina sitting on the floor, wearing a dark leotard and pointe shoes. She is hunched slightly, with her hands resting near her feet, gazing thoughtfully to her left. Her expression is calm but carries a hint of weariness.

The background is simple, with an off-white wall featuring soft pink and green tones, and a floor painted in deep reds and muted burgundy. The brushstrokes are bold and visible, creating texture and a sense of immediacy.

The artist uses expressive brushwork and a rich color contrast to capture a quiet moment of reflection and the inner strength of the dancer. The painting suggests the balance between the physical demands of dance and the peaceful moments of rest and contemplation.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Ballerina Mid-Leap), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows a ballerina mid-leap, viewed from behind. She wears a dark leotard and a pale, gauzy tutu that flares around her. Her posture is fluid and balanced, capturing the grace and agility of dance.

The background is a warm, buttery yellow with soft variations in tone, creating a glowing aura around the dancer. The loose, impressionistic brushwork emphasizes movement and light rather than fine detail, giving the scene a dreamlike quality.

The painting expresses themes of dedication, elegance, and the fleeting beauty of motion. The soft colors and blurred edges highlight the ethereal nature of ballet and the quiet intensity behind the art.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Dramatic Leap), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows a ballerina in a pale pink tutu making a high, graceful leap. Her body is arched, arms extended, and her expression focused, conveying strength and control. She holds a small white flower near her ear, adding a delicate touch to her powerful pose.

Three other ballerinas appear around her, less defined and blurred, suggesting a stage performance. The background is a deep burgundy red, creating a dramatic contrast with the light tutus. The lighting highlights the central dancer, emphasizing her movement and presence.

The artist uses impressionistic brushwork and broad strokes to capture the energy and emotion of ballet. The painting celebrates grace, dedication, and the intensity of a peak performance.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Preparing for Performance), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows a ballerina preparing for a performance. She is bent slightly forward, focused on fastening her pale pink pointe shoe. She wears a soft, light blue or lavender tutu that adds a delicate touch to the scene.

The background is dark and indistinct, suggesting a backstage or dressing room area. Warm, rich colors highlight the ballerina’s form and create a quiet, intimate atmosphere. Visible brushstrokes and textured paint capture the moment’s intensity and concentration.

The painting explores themes of dedication, discipline, and the quiet moments of preparation before a performance. The ballerina’s careful attention to her shoe symbolizes the balance of elegance and effort required in ballet.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Two Ballerinas in Repose), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows two young ballerinas in a quiet moment after practice. One is slightly hunched, wearing a black leotard and pale shorts, with dark tights and pointe shoes. The other stands more relaxed, wearing a black leotard and a pale tutu, holding a rolled-up barre mat.

The background is a soft, blurry lavender with hints of a ballet barre and a reflective floor showing faint reflections of the dancers. Loose brushstrokes and a limited purple palette create a dreamy, introspective atmosphere.

The painting captures themes of dedication, fatigue, and reflection, portraying the quiet strength and contemplation that follow intense artistic effort.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Pensive Young Woman in Blue Dress), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows a young woman in profile, dressed in a deep blue, 1950s-inspired dress with a fitted bodice and flared skirt. Her dark hair is pulled back neatly with an off-white headband. She stands with hands on her hips, her gaze directed thoughtfully to the side.

The background is an abstract mix of warm earth tones—yellows, ochres, browns, and burgundy—with visible brushstrokes that add texture and depth. Soft, diffused light highlights the woman’s features and the fabric of her dress.

The artist blends realism with impressionistic brushwork, focusing on mood and emotion. The painting conveys quiet introspection and subtle elegance, exploring themes of feminine strength, vulnerability, and contemplation.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Ballerina in Reflection), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows a ballerina in a moment of quiet reflection. She wears a dark purplish-blue leotard and a white tutu, her head tilted upwards and eyes closed. Her arms gently touch her neck and face, conveying introspection and vulnerability.

The background is abstract and richly textured, with deep reds, purples, and greens creating a shadowy, almost dreamlike atmosphere. Broad, expressive brushstrokes and visible paint drips add energy and raw emotion to the scene.

The artist blends impressionistic and expressionistic styles to capture the emotional depth of the ballerina’s experience. The work explores themes of artistic dedication, vulnerability, and the emotional intensity behind ballet.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Ballerina in Introspection), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows a ballerina from the midriff up, wearing a dark navy leotard and a pale creamy-yellow tutu. She holds her hair gently at the back of her head, her face partially visible with a contemplative, slightly melancholic expression.

The background is abstract, blending warm earthy tones with darker blues, creating a soft, dreamy atmosphere. Visible brushstrokes add texture and emotion, contrasting the smoothness of the ballerina’s clothing with the rougher background.

The artist uses expressive, painterly techniques to capture the mood of quiet reflection and vulnerability. The painting explores the balance between the public grace of the dancer and the private emotional intensity behind the art.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Ballerina in Graceful Repose), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows a young ballerina in a moment of repose. She arches her body gracefully backward, her head tilted to the side with a serene, pensive expression. She wears a dark sleeveless bodice and a light, translucent white skirt gathered around her hips, revealing dark tights beneath.

The background suggests a softly lit dance studio with warm earthy tones—muted oranges, browns, and yellows—blended to create a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. Visible brushstrokes add texture and movement to the scene.

The artist combines impressionistic and realistic styles to capture the delicate balance between tension and release, reflecting the fragility and beauty of a dancer’s performance. The painting evokes quiet contemplation, vulnerability, and the fleeting nature of artistic expression.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Dancer in Radiant Flight), Oil on Canvas in details

This striking painting from The Ballet Serie #1 captures a dancer in mid-leap, embodying themes of freedom, energy, and dynamic movement. Clad in a glowing yellow garment that billows dramatically around her, the dancer’s powerful pose—arm reaching skyward, leg extended in a graceful arabesque—radiates strength and fluidity. Her face is partially obscured, focusing attention on the expressive motion rather than individual features.

Set against a deep, richly textured blue background reminiscent of a night sky or swirling ocean, the contrast between the luminous yellow dress and the dark backdrop creates a captivating chiaroscuro effect. The artist’s bold, impasto brushstrokes add texture and vitality, emphasizing the raw emotion and exhilaration of the moment.

This work celebrates the joy and liberation found in dance, symbolizing the human spirit’s capacity to transcend limits through artistic expression. The radiant yellow suggests warmth and vitality, while the expansive blue evokes mystery and depth, together crafting a powerful visual story of passion and movement.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Solitary Ballerina Preparing), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 beautifully captures a young ballerina in a quiet, intimate moment of preparation. With her blonde hair pulled back neatly, she bends over to adjust her white pointe shoes, her pristine tutu softly flowing around her. The ballerina’s posture and focused gaze reveal a deep concentration and dedication to her craft.

Set against a rich, deep indigo background, the minimalist scene highlights the contrast between the delicate white tutu and the dark surroundings, emphasizing the ballerina’s grace and solitude. The artist’s expressive brushwork and impressionistic style bring warmth and emotion to the piece, creating a mood of calm intensity and quiet reflection.

This painting speaks to the dedication, discipline, and solitary moments behind the scenes of ballet, inviting viewers to appreciate the quiet strength and beauty of an artist preparing to perform.

ℹ

The Ballet Serie #1 – Untitled (Three Ballerinas on Stage), Oil on Canvas in details

This painting from The Ballet Serie #1 shows three ballerinas on a dark stage illuminated by deep blue light. The central dancer stands poised with arms raised above her head, wearing a pale white tutu that appears light and flowing. Two other ballerinas flank her, captured in softer, side views, also dressed in white tutus.

The dark background contrasts with the dancers’ glowing costumes and skin, emphasizing their graceful forms. The stage floor reflects their images subtly, adding depth and a sense of movement. The artist uses impressionistic brushstrokes to render the soft textures of the tutus and the fluidity of the dancers’ poses.

The mood is serene and elegant, evoking the quiet intensity and dedication of ballet. The painting captures the beauty and discipline of the art form within a dramatic theatrical setting.

All Art Collections

Here you’ll find a variety of Igor Shulman’s art collections, each one showing a different side of his work. From chandeliers and dresses to still lifes and portraits, every collection has its own mood and story. Take a look and see which one catches your eye — these pieces capture moments and feelings in a way that’s both honest and personal.

• The Accursed Kings Series
• Chandeliers Collection. Vol. 1
• Dresses collection. Vol1
• Still Life Collection. Part #1
• Gravity. Vol1
• After Party Collection #1
• Station collection
• Erotica. Vol1
• Musician Collection
• Jews Collection. Serie #2
• Men Collection
• My Animals Collection
• Jews Collection
• Ambiance Collection. Serie #2
• Ambiance Collection. Serie #1
• My Fishes
• Birds’ Collection. Part #2
• Bird’s Collection. Part #1
• New Icon Collection
• The Ballet Serie #2
• Antiglamour