Horse and Rider c. 1878

Edgar Degas created "Horse and Rider," as part of his broader fascination with equestrian subjects. Degas was a flâneur of the racetrack, and this sketch gives us a sense of his deep study of the horse. It is interesting to consider the identity of the rider, whose face is obscured, rendering him somewhat anonymous, even as his class position is legible. Degas' work often reflects the social hierarchy of 19th-century France, subtly embedding markers of class within seemingly candid scenes. The rider's upright posture and the horse's well-groomed appearance speak volumes about wealth and leisure. Yet, there’s a certain tension in the sketch. Degas, while celebrated, was not without his prejudices. He made antisemitic and misogynistic remarks. This awareness invites a more critical engagement with his work, prompting us to consider whose stories are being told and from what perspective. It's a reminder that art is never created in a vacuum and is always inflected by the identity and biases of its maker.