Ballerina Misty Copeland recreates Degas' dancers in 'Harper's Bazaar' shoot

Life imitates art.

Ballerina Misty Copeland is featured in a series of photos depicting characters from Edgar Degas iconic ballerina paintings.

The photos featured in Harper’s Bazaar were taken by Ken Browar and Deborah Ory of the New York Dance Project.

And while Copeland makes it look easy, she told Harper’s Bazaar posing for the photos was challenging.

"Trying to re-create what Degas did was really difficult,” Copeland told Harper’s Bazaar. “It was amazing just to notice all of the small details but also how he still allows you to feel like there's movement. That's what I think is so beautiful and difficult about dance too. You're trying to strive for this perfection, but you still want people to get that illusion that your line never ends and that you never stop moving."

Gallery: Closer look at Misty Copeland 

Copeland, who's the subject of the documentary A Ballerina's Tale,  posed as Degas' famous "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen" sculpture in one the photos.

"I definitely feel like I can see myself in that sculpture—she just seems content but also reserved," Copeland told Harper's Bazaar. "I was really shy and introverted at that age. I don't even have an image in my head of what I remember a ballerina being or existing before I took a ballet class. Ballet was just the one thing that brought me to life."

Here’s a look at a few of the stunning images.

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