Artwork
Fallen Jockey (study for "Scene from the Steeplechase: The Fallen Jockey")
Fallen Jockey (study for "Scene from the Steeplechase: The Fallen Jockey") is a chalk drawing by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Fallen Jockey is a drawing created around 1866 by French artist Edgar Degas, executed in black chalk and pastel on brown wove paper. It serves as a study for the larger work, Scene from the Steeplechase: The Fallen Jockey.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a jockey lying on his back, dressed in a dark jacket with a red sash and light-colored pants. The subject reflects Degas’s interest in capturing dynamic, contemporary scenes, particularly figures in motion, such as athletes and horses.
Technique & Style
Degas utilized black chalk for outlines and pastel for subtle coloring, characteristic of his draftsmanship mastery. The pastel adds a soft, gentle quality, contributing to a serene atmosphere despite the subject’s predicament. The warm brown background enhances this calm tone.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1866, this study is part of Degas’s exploration of Impressionist and realist themes, though specific ownership history before its current location is not detailed here.
Context
Fallen Jockey fits within Degas’s broader oeuvre of depicting modern life, including dancers, horses, and sporting events, showcasing his ability to capture movement and everyday contemporary subjects.
Legacy
As a study for a larger work, Fallen Jockey demonstrates Degas’s meticulous preparatory process. It reflects his influence on capturing human and animal motion, contributing to the development of Impressionist and realist artistic practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas on 19 July 1834 in Paris, Edgar Degas came from an affluent banking family with aristocratic roots and spent his childhood among the cultivated circles of the French capital.
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