Miss Lala im Zirkus Fernando

Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando

The acrobat Miss La La caused a sensation at the Cirque Fernando in Paris, performing various feats of strength. In Degas's painting she is suspended from the rafters of the circus building by a rope clenched between her teeth.

Degas watched Miss La La perform on several evenings in January 1879 and made sketches and drawings of her act.