The Start of the Race in the Corso, Rome c. 1767 - 1777

Curator: Here we have David Allan's "The Start of the Race in the Corso, Rome," held by the Tate Collections. It captures a moment of palpable anticipation. Editor: You can feel the energy, can’t you? It’s like a snapshot of controlled chaos just before the horses bolt, rendered in delicate lines. Curator: The sketch offers a glimpse into the Roman Carnival tradition, where riderless horses raced through the city's main street. It really speaks to the spectacle of labour of wrangling the animals. Editor: Exactly, you can almost hear the leather creaking, the handlers grunting. Curator: I love how the artist captured the tension, the restrained power of the horses straining against the rope. The anticipation of that moment before they let loose. Editor: It is an interesting piece of work, so captivating in its moment of the making. Curator: Indeed. Allan gives us a snapshot of a world of tradition, energy, and the hands that shaped it. Editor: One can not help but wonder what happened after the starting shot!