Jockeys Before the Race
- Original dimensions
- 36 x 26 cm
- Museum
- Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
- Year
- 1888
Scene depicted
The painting presents a suspended moment, just before the start of the race. The jockeys, in colorful outfits, are gathered, their concentration palpable as they prepare for the competition. The pictorial work captures the excitement and anticipation, creating an atmosphere charged with energy. The gazes are fixed on the starting line, and each jockey, with his harnessed horse, is a living sculpture of tension and preparation. The spectators in the background add a human dimension to the scene, amplifying the sensation of an important event.
Historical context
Created in the late 19th century, Jockeys before the race is a masterpiece of the Impressionist movement, immersing the viewer in a vibrant atmosphere characteristic of horse racing in Paris. Located at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen, this painting captures the palpable dynamics and tension of a moment before a race. The modest dimensions of this canvas testify to a significant moment in art history, where Degas, in the midst of his time, brings to life the fascination of crowds and the beauty of jockeys.
Place in the artist's career
Jockeys before the race embodies a period of maturity in the career of Edgar Degas . After his explorations in the world of ballet with The Dancer at Rest and scenes of modern life as in The Café Concert , this painting reflects his distinctive style — the immediate idea of a transient moment. This composition, with its attention to movement and light, marks an evolution where Degas merges his passions for spectacle and urban life.
Anecdote
Degas once declared: "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." This quote resonates particularly in Jockeys before the race , which he conceived by carefully observing the spectators and participants in the vibrant atmosphere of a Parisian racetrack. The painting is a tribute to the liveliness of a sunny morning, where the smell of fresh grass and the sound of hooves resonate in the air.