Horse and Rider

Horse and Rider, executed by Edgar Degas French, 1834-1917 between 1887 and 1890, exemplifies the artist’s dedicated study of movement, a central theme in his mature career. Classified as a drawing, this piece was rendered primarily in charcoal on cream card. Degas's technical focus on line and shadow is highly evident here, showcasing his ability to capture dynamic form with minimal, suggestive means. The work defines the powerful muscular structure of the horse and the posture of the rider through quick, focused charcoal strokes, demonstrating a draftsmanship honed by years of practice depicting subjects like Parisian dancers and racehorses.

Throughout the 1880s and 1890s, Degas was profoundly fascinated by the mechanics of the equine form, creating numerous preparatory drawings and studies that often stand as finished works in their own right. This specific study, originating from France, focuses less on precise narrative or setting and more on the overall kinetic energy and balance between the two figures. The composition is immediate and arguably photographic in its approach to cropping, reflecting the period's growing interest in unconventional viewpoints derived from contemporary photography. Degas's technique in this drawing places emphasis on light and dark contrast to articulate volume, making the figure appear robustly three-dimensional against the neutral ground of the cream card. This important example of Degas's late equestrian work, Horse and Rider, is housed in the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a key reference for students studying the French drawing tradition, this work is often featured in scholarly publications, and high-resolution images are widely accessible through public domain art initiatives.