On The Racecourse (The Race) (Around 1861-1862)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
On The Racecourse (The Race) is an intriguing painting by Edgar Degas, created around 1861-1862, that captures a lively scene at a racecourse. This early work by Degas, before he became celebrated for his depictions of ballet dancers, expresses his initial interest in the dynamic movement and elegant social gatherings associated with horse racing.The painting, set in a verdant outdoor landscape, gives viewers a vibrant snapshot of 19th-century leisure among the well-to-do. At the forefront, various horse-drawn carriages and riders are gathered. The aristocracy is poised in their finery, occupying ornate carriages or mounted on horseback, thus emphasizing the social aspect of the event.In the middle ground, the excitement of the race itself is captured. Jockeys astride their horses vigorously compete, urging their mounts forward along the track. The distance shows serene, rolling hills, imparting a sense of tranquility that contrasts the animated foreground.Degas' use of soft, earthy tones successfully conveys the atmosphere of the occasion, while the scattered arrangement of figures and the depth achieved inspire a sense of immediacy and involvement.