A Jockey on His Horse

Art Historical Context

Edgar Degas's *A Jockey on His Horse* (ca. 1868–70) captures the dynamic energy of the racetrack, a recurring theme in the artist's early career. Degas, a key figure in Impressionism—though he rejected the label—frequently sketched jockeys and horses at French racecourses like Longchamp, drawn to their poised tension and fleeting motion. This intimate study reflects his obsession with modern life and the human-animal bond, rendered during a period when he was honing his skills in capturing movement off-canvas. Executed in oil and graphite on faded pink paper (12 7/8 x 7 3/16 in.), the work exemplifies Degas's innovative mixed-media approach. The tinted paper serves as a mid-tone ground, allowing bold graphite lines to define the jockey's form and the horse's musculature, while subtle oil glazes add luminosity and depth. Classified as a drawing, it showcases his mastery of preparatory sketches, blending precision with spontaneity—techniques that influenced his later pastels and paintings. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department through the bequest of Walter C. Baker in 1971, this piece offers visitors a glimpse into Degas's studio process, highlighting the raw vitality behind his polished masterpieces.

About the Artist

Edgar Degas · 1834–1917

Edgar Degas (1834-1917) stands as one of the most innovative artists of the nineteenth century, whose distinctive vision transformed how modern life could be depicted on canvas. Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas in Paris to a wealthy banking family—his father French, his mother a Louisiana Creole from New Orleans—Degas received a classical education before abandoning law studies in 1855 to pursue ...