Final answer:
Little Dancer of Fourteen Years by Edgar Degas, displayed in 1881, was a groundbreaking piece with mixed reviews. It was made in wax, dressed in real clothes, and posthumously cast in bronze, now displayed in various museums.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sculpture Little Dancer of Fourteen Years by Edgar Degas, exhibited in the Impressionist Exhibition of 1881, was noted for its experimentalism and deviation from artistic norms of the time. Originally sculpted in wax and adorned with real clothing and hair, this piece challenged traditional representations of form and materials.
The piece garnered a controversial reception, with some critics finding it 'appallingly ugly' and others perceiving a sense of 'blossoming' in the youthful subject. After Degas' death, 28 bronze casts were made, which can now be found in museums worldwide, each differing slightly due to the unique tutus provided by the respective institutions.