Alexander and Bucephalus

Alexander and Bucephalus, an oil on canvas painted by Edgar Degas between 1861 and 1862, showcases the artist’s engagement with classical history painting during his formative years. This work belongs firmly to the period designated as 1851 to 1875, reflecting the formal academic training Degas undertook, particularly during his travels in Italy where he studied the Old Masters. The piece stands as a significant example of early French academic art, created just before Degas shifted his focus toward contemporary, slice-of-life scenes of Paris.

The narrative depicts the pivotal moment described by Plutarch: the young Alexander the Great mastering the seemingly untamable steed, Bucephalus. Alexander achieves this feat by realizing the horse is shying at its own shadow and turning it toward the sun. Unlike the fragmented compositions and vibrant realism that would define his later career, this painting demonstrates Degas's technical proficiency in traditional figure composition, rendering anatomy, and historical costume. The canvas employs careful modeling and dramatic lighting, revealing a young artist steeped in traditional classical and neoclassical ideals.

Although Degas would ultimately abandon such grandiose subjects to focus on ballet dancers and racecourses, Alexander and Bucephalus provides critical insight into the initial trajectory of the artist’s development. The painting illustrates the technical foundation that allowed him later to deconstruct traditional forms with such expertise. This important piece is held within the collection of the National Gallery of Art, forming a key component of its holdings of early Degas works. Due to the age and historical significance of the artwork, high-resolution imagery and prints of this early masterwork are frequently available through public domain art repositories, ensuring its continuing availability for scholarly study.