Artwork

Réglement du Jockey Club de Paris: Chaque membre du Jockey Club doit avoir un Jockey, et un cheval...

Réglement du Jockey Club de Paris: Chaque membre du Jockey Club doit avoir un Jockey, et un cheval... is a print by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The print, titled “Réglement du Jockey Club de Paris: Chaque membre du Jockey Club doit avoir un Jockey, et un cheval…,” portrays a tumultuous moment in which a formally dressed gentleman clutches the reins of a rearing horse. The rider, wearing a top hat and coat, struggles to keep balance while the animal arches on its hind legs, set against a backdrop of stone walls and an unreadable sign.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures the tension inherent in equestrian sport, juxtaposing the elegance of aristocratic attire with the raw power of the horse. The man's determined expression and firm grip suggest a struggle to impose order on a force that resists control, hinting at broader themes of discipline, status, and the unpredictable nature of the sport governed by the Jockey Club.

Technique & Style

Executed in a print medium, the work relies on strong chiaroscuro, employing dark shading and bold line work to heighten drama. The contrast between deep shadows and illuminated forms accentuates the horse’s dynamic pose and the rider’s tense posture, while the simplified background elements keep focus on the central conflict between man and animal.

Context

The piece references the regulations of the Paris Jockey Club, an institution that historically required each member to maintain both a jockey and a horse. By visualizing a moment of loss of control, the print subtly comments on the obligations and challenges faced by club members within the elite equestrian culture of 19th‑century France.