Marie wanted to be the most famous ballerina in the world, but because her family had too little money for lessons she began modeling at the ballet school. The painter for whom she modeled was Edgar Degas. When Degas' figure of The Little Dancer was finished, Marie became the most famous dancer of all. Here is an introduction to the life of a great 19th century French artist, with beautiful impressionistic illustrations and reproductions of Degas' own work.