Horse Standing
Original title: Horse Standing
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas modeled the Standing Horse probably around 1881–82; the bronze cast was made in 1920. The sculpture presents a horse in calm profile on a flat base. It belongs to Degas's thorough engagement with capturing horses in movement and posture.
Description
In profile the horse appears with its head turned slightly to the right. The body forms and musculature are precisely worked out, the coat suggested by wavy lines. Slender, strong legs support the body; neck and head look muscular, the ears stand upright, the mouth is slightly open. The bronze shows an even surface, slightly altered by patina.
Context
Degas made numerous horse sculptures, often connected with his paintings and drawings of horse races. The dating of the model to about 1881–82 falls in a phase when he was intensely studying the anatomy and movement of horses. The 1920 cast was posthumous, since Degas had only a few sculptures executed in bronze during his lifetime.
Impact
The work has a quiet, almost monumental presence that arises from the precise modeling of the anatomy. The even patina and the stable base give it a timeless elegance.
Technique
Cast in bronze, a material that allows fine details and a durable surface. On the surface, traces of modeling are visible, such as the wavy lines for the coat, suggesting careful work on the wax model.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)