Édouard Manet at the Races
Original title: Édouard Manet at the Races
kurzbeschreibung
Around 1868–69, Edgar Degas portrayed his fellow painter Édouard Manet from behind as he stands at the racecourse. The sheet is executed in graphite and black chalk on paper. It attests to the shared interest of both artists in scenes of modern leisure.
Description
A man turns his back to the viewer: he wears a bowler hat, glasses, and a long beard, along with a suit. Beside him is a merely suggested figure with glasses, holding their nose. The drawing feels realistic; hatching and strokes emphasize contours and surfaces. The paper is cream-colored and shows signs of use such as stains and scratches.
Context
In the late 1860s, Degas and Manet exchanged ideas as friends and visited the Paris racecourses together. Manet himself was an eager racegoer and had painted the subject several times. That Degas captured his colleague here from behind and in a private pose suggests a close personal bond. The sheet belongs to a group of studies Degas made during that period.
Impact
Because the sitter turns away, the viewer remains outside—creating both closeness and distance. The loose, sketchy execution feels like a spontaneous observation, fleetingly captured.
Technique
Graphite and black chalk were used on paper. Fine hatching and strong strokes shape the bodies. Combining both drawing media produces varied tonality and a lively surface.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)