Racehorses 1884

Edgar Degas, sometime in the late 19th century, made this painting titled ‘Racehorses’. Degas was a prominent figure in the Impressionist movement, yet he straddled the traditional art world and the avant-garde. Here, we see racehorses and their jockeys in a pre-race moment, set against a wide landscape. The focus isn't on the thrill of the race or the celebration of victory. Instead, Degas captures a quieter moment, one laden with anticipation. Consider the societal context. Horse racing in 19th-century France was an elite spectacle, steeped in class divisions. Degas himself was from a wealthy background, and his portrayal of this world could be seen as both an insider's view and a distanced observation. The painting is less about the individual identities and more about the collective scene. The jockeys are somewhat anonymous, their faces obscured, emphasizing their role within this high-society event. Degas invites us to reflect on the intersections of class, leisure, and the human-animal relationship within the context of 19th-century French society.