Artwork
Battle Scene with Armored Figures on Horseback (recto)
Battle Scene with Armored Figures on Horseback (recto) is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Battle Scene with Armored Figures on Horseback (recto) is a drawing by Edgar Degas, dated to 1858, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a chaotic battle scene featuring armored figures on horseback, with notable weaponry including a spear and a sword, conveying dynamic movement and energy.
Technique & Style
Executed in pencil, the sketch is characterized by its rough, understated detail, prioritizing the capture of motion over intricate rendering.
History & Provenance
Created in 1858, the work is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's holdings, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.
Context
While Degas is famously associated with Impressionism, this early work's subject matter and style suggest influences or explorations beyond the movement's typical themes.
Legacy
As an early example of Degas' work, it offers insight into his developmental period, though its impact on his later, more characteristic Impressionist pieces is not explicitly defined.
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.
