← Edgar Degas

Horse with Jockey; Horse Galloping on the Right Foot, the Back Left Foot Only Touching the Ground

Original title: Horse with Jockey; Horse Galloping on the Right Foot, the Back Left Foot Only Touching the Ground

Artist

Edgar Degas

Date

modeled possibly before 1871, cast 1920

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

9-5/6 x 13 x 7 in. (25.0 x 33.0 x 17.8 cm.)

Credit line

H.O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H.O. Havemeyer, 1929

kurzbeschreibung

A horse charges forward at a gallop, a jockey seated on its back. This bronze sculpture was made from a wax model likely shaped before 1871 and cast only in 1920. The hind legs stretch far behind, the front legs are in lively motion, while the rider sits upright in traditional riding attire. Mounted on a pedestal, the work draws the eye to the energy and speed of the moment.

Description

A horse is caught mid-gallop, its hindquarters extended long, its front legs lifted in quick succession. The jockey perches on the animal, wearing typical riding clothes and leaning slightly forward, which emphasizes the forward thrust. The bronze gleams metallically and brings out the muscles and movement clearly. Light from the left sculpts the contours of horse and rider. The arrangement is entirely geared to the dynamics of the run, supported by the leg position and the posture of the body.

Context

During this creative phase, Degas was deeply engaged with capturing movement, especially motifs from equestrian sports. The model probably dates from before 1871, but the bronze was cast only in 1920, after the artist's death. Degas tried out various materials and techniques; here his effort to fix a fleeting moment of dynamic motion becomes evident. This bronze belongs to a series of posthumous casts based on his wax works.

Impact

The sculpture generates an immediate tension that grips the viewer. The shiny bronze surface and the precise execution give the figure a lively presence, making movement and power almost tangible.

Technique

The sculpture was realized as a bronze cast from a wax model. Its surface has a shiny, metallic patina that accentuates the details of musculature and motion. The casting used the lost-wax method, which allows for the finest details and a faithful translation of the modeling.

AI-generated description text

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)