The Milwaukee Art Museum is offering the viewing public an extraordinary opportunity; a chance to experience the artwork of Edgar Degas, beginning this weekend. MAM is sharing the excitement of the occasion because it's the first exhibition of French Impressionist works for the museum.

"It's the first French Impressionist exhibit that we've had because it's the only opportunity a curator in the area got to put it together," said Catherine Sawinski, a curatorial assistant in European art. "There hasn't been a curator concentrated on this area and it hasn't been in the forefront."

Besides this being a rare opportunity for the museum, MAM is the only venue in the Midwest to show the sculptures.

"We're very excited," Sawinski said. "It means that we can offer the area something that they wouldn't get otherwise. For us it's great."

Laurie Winters, curator of Earlier European Art at the museum, coordinated the exhibit, which consists of 73 of Degas' bronze sculptures from the collection of Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo in Brazil. The collection, according to the museum, is one of only four complete sets of Degas' bronze works in existence.

"The sculptures are interesting because they show how Degas was extremely interested in how figures move." Sawinski said. "He focused mainly on three subject matters; horses, bathers and dancers. All of which are in different types of movement gave a glimpse of how he was trying solve that problem."

Although Degas is hailed as one of the masters of French Impressionism, he wasn't as welcomed during his time. He showed one sculpture during his lifetime, "Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen," which received harsh criticism from the public.

"It wasn't received well," Sawinski explained. "It was considered quite ugly because he made it look as realistic as possible. He had actual hair in the form of a wig, he covered it in wax to make it look like skin and the girl who posed for it was not considered very attractive because she had a very unusual face."

Besides the sculptures, MAM has added approximately 20 paintings by Degas. The addition of the 2-D artwork is special to MAM's exhibition alone.

"Mainly (they were added) because it gives you a much broader understanding of his study of movement." Sawinski said. "Some sculptures are related directly to his (2-D) works and give better look at how solve this problem."

All the 2-D artwork comes from different places in the world, mainly the United States and Europe.

"We have a great painting from Yale University called 'The False Start,' which is a painting at a horse race." Sawinski said. "Another highlight is a pastel from a Switzerland museum which is rarely on display, even at the museum. It's never traveled. We're the first place that has gotten it on loan."

Sawinski says that the exhibit helps to pull in artwork that would not be seen in a single venue along with helping to understand Degas as an artist. All the works provide insight into what Degas was interested in as an artist and what he was known for during the 19th century.

The exhibit will run through June. While it is currently slated to return to Brazil, other venues are being contacted.

"If it will not travel to another venue, we could possibly be the last museum in the United States to see the bronzes." Sawinski said.

"Degas Sculptures" opens February 19 and runs through June 5 at the Milwaukee Art Museum located at 700 North Art Museum Drive. To get into the exhibit, tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students and includes the general entry fee. The museum is also providing other event and lectures to coincide with the exhibit. For more information call 414-224-3200 or visit www.mam.org.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Feb. 17 2005.