Racehorses in a Landscape 1894

Edgar Degas’s “Racehorses in a Landscape” is made with pastel on paper, a medium that lends itself to layering and blending, yet also allows for sharp, defined lines. Pastels here give a sense of immediacy, capturing a fleeting moment with an almost sketch-like quality. Notice how Degas uses broad strokes to render the landscape, creating a hazy, atmospheric effect with touches of vibrant color, and building up layers, one over the other. This process reflects the changing world outside, where urban spaces and landscapes were being reshaped by industry. The composition is carefully constructed, with the racehorses positioned asymmetrically in the foreground, leading the eye towards the distant mountains. Degas was a master of observation, capturing the movement and energy of his subjects with precision and skill, and exploring class and labor structures through art. Considering the materials and processes used, one can see this piece embodies the spirit of its time, reflecting both the beauty and the changing nature of modern life.