Horse at Trough 1855 - 1920

Edgar Degas made this bronze sculpture, "Horse at Trough," sometime in the late 19th century. The sculpture’s textured surface, with visible marks and traces, offers insight into Degas’s working methods, a hands-on manipulation that moves away from traditional, smooth bronze casting. Degas likely built up the figure with clay or wax, focusing on capturing the animal's weight and form. The final bronze casting would have involved a foundry, where skilled artisans transformed Degas's original model into the durable metal we see today. This process, requiring both artistic vision and technical skill, highlights the collaborative nature of sculpture production. The transformation of a malleable substance into solid bronze gives the artwork a sense of permanence, while its textured surface retains the immediacy of the artist's touch. Considering its materiality and process, Degas’s sculpture challenges traditional hierarchies between fine art and craft. It underscores the vital role of materials and making in understanding an artwork’s full meaning.