Jockeys Before the Race
- Original dimensions
- 73.7 x 107.3 cm
- Museum
- Barber Institute of Fine Arts
- Year
- 1879
Scene depicted
The canvas “Jockeys before the race” presents a vibrant and dynamic scene where jockeys, full of energy, stand there, preparing to embrace the tension before the race. The liveliness of the attitudes and the proximity of the horses, captured by Degas's skilled hand, draw us into a thrilling, almost palpable atmosphere, where spectators are invited to feel the excitement of the moment.
Historical context
Created in 1879, this painting is emblematic and takes place in Paris, the cradle of the impressionist movement to which Edgar Degas belongs. In a rich cultural context, where art evolves boldly, this painting illustrates the ephemeral beauty of horse racing, capturing a privileged moment in time. Today, you can contemplate this masterpiece at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts , perfectly preserved and majestically displayed.
Place in the artist's career
“Jockeys before the race” stands as one of the major milestones in Degas's career, marking a period when he experimented with bolder compositions and new perspectives. Alongside other works such as “The Dance Class” and “L'Absinthe,” this painting reveals the artist's growing mastery of movement and light, a perfect fusion of the everyday and art.
Anecdote
“The study of movement is the dance of life itself,” said Degas when speaking of his passion for the art of movement. Imagining the artist strolling through a lively alley on a spring morning, observing the jockeys passionately preparing, sheds light on the inspiring genesis of this painting , as vibrant as the men and horses it depicts.