Artwork
Gig Upsetting at the Races
Gig Upsetting at the Races is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Philip James de Loutherbourg. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
Philip James de Loutherbourg’s oil painting *Gig Upsetting at the Races* (1792) captures a sudden mishap during a horse‑racing event. Executed in the late Rococo style, the work presents a bustling crowd, overturned carriage, and startled horses, all set against a backdrop of tents and trees. The canvas is part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s permanent collection.
Subject & Meaning
The scene records a carriage overturning on a racecourse, a moment of disorder amid a festive gathering. Spectators react in varied ways—some display alarm, others stare with detached curiosity—highlighting the contrast between public spectacle and private anxiety. The painting thus comments on the precariousness of leisure pursuits in the eighteenth‑century public sphere.
Technique & Style
Loutherbourg employs a dramatic chiaroscuro, with dark, brooding clouds casting deep shadows that intensify the sense of upheaval. The brushwork is lively, especially in the tangled horses and scattered figures, while the bright banners and clothing provide color accents that guide the viewer’s eye across the chaotic composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1792, the work reflects Loutherbourg’s dual reputation as a painter of naval subjects and theatrical scenery. After changing hands among private collectors, the canvas entered the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it remains on display as a representative example of late Rococo genre painting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philip James de Loutherbourg, RA (born Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg; 31 October 1740 – 11 March 1812) was a French-born British painter who became known for his large naval works, his elaborate set designs for…
