TWIRLING and turning, a trio of talented ballerinas dance, as an artist catches every pose and pirouette…

It could have been a scene from 150 years ago, but in fact, Pixie Howitt, Jada-Jo Branney and Darcey McKechnie are contemporary students at Knightswood’s Dance School of Scotland, and the artist skilfully capturing their moves is Sarah Wilson, a learning assistant at Glasgow Museums.

At the Burrell Collection on Tuesday (September 3), Sarah seized a rare opportunity to follow in one of her favourite painter’s footsteps and sketch some of the ballet poses portrayed in the work of Edgar Degas.

The young dancers pose for artist Sarah WilsonThe young dancers pose for artist Sarah Wilson (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

An exhibition dedicated to the French artist is coming to a close at the Pollok Park Museum, having already attracted more than 30,000 visitors.

Discovering Degas: Collecting in the Time of Sir William Burrell, has been one of the most popular shows in Scotland this summer, organisers Glasgow Life have revealed.

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Thousands more are expected to make the most of a rare chance to see all 23 Degas works from Burrell's original collection together in one space.

Pixie, Jada-Jo and Darcey have some fun with the exhibition posterPixie, Jada-Jo and Darcey have some fun with the exhibition poster (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

They are displayed alongside 28 further world-class artworks on loan from some the UK and Europe’s finest collections, including the renowned and controversial work L’Absinthe, on loan from Musée d’Orsay, Paris.

Pippa Stephenson-SitPippa Stephenson-Sit (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

Pippa Stephenson-Sit, curator of European Art at Glasgow Life Museums, who co-curated the exhibition, said: “Degas was a master of intricate detail, and with each visit there is something new to explore in his paintings, sculptures and drawings.

“This is a great chance to learn more about exactly how and why Sir William Burrell managed to collect such an important and impressive collection of artwork by this key Impressionist artist.

The young dancers at the entrance archway at The Burrell CollectionThe young dancers at the entrance archway at The Burrell Collection (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

“It’s amazing to see these works displayed together in one place. With only a few weeks left, I’d encourage everyone to make time to see the show while you still can.”

The exhibition shows, through fascinating letters and other archival material, that Sir William Burrell was amongst the earliest Scottish collectors to buy works by Degas. Over a 40-year collecting period he bought more than 20 artworks spanning the artist’s career, far more than any other UK collector.

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At the Burrell on Tuesday, Pixie, 11 and 12-year-olds Jada-Jo and Darcey were dressed in traditional handmade ballet costumes made in Brazil in the early 1960s for Cecilia Barrett, for her performances in Don Quixote, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty.

Cecilia danced with Rambert Ballet and was ballet mistress with London City Ballet and, from 1973, with Scottish Ballet.

Discovering Degas: Collecting in the Time of William Burrell runs until Monday, September 30.