Four Jockeys 1888

Edgar Degas made this oil painting called "Four Jockeys," but the date is unknown. Degas was fascinated by the spectacle of horse racing. He made many sketches at racetracks in France. Here, the jockeys, with their colorful vests, are brought together with their horses in a composition that suggests movement and the thrill of competition. In nineteenth-century France, horse racing was a popular pastime for the wealthy. The racetrack became a social space where class distinctions were blurred, but not erased. Degas, who came from a wealthy family, found this world to be a fascinating subject. Art historians have used resources, such as letters, journals, and newspapers, to understand more about Degas's life and social context. By understanding the culture in which Degas was working, we can learn much more about his artistic choices and the social meaning of his paintings.