Jockey

Jockey by Edgar Degas French, 1834-1917, is a striking drawing created during the prolific period between 1866 and 1880. This piece offers keen insight into the artist’s dedication to capturing movement and contemporary Parisian life, particularly the competitive world of horse racing. The work is executed using graphite with careful stumping on tan wove paper, a technique that allows for subtle gradations of shadow and light, crucial for defining the powerful form of the horse and the precise posture of the rider.

Degas frequently explored the subject of racehorses, treating the racetrack as a stage for modern activity and detached observation. Unlike many of his contemporaries who focused primarily on traditional landscapes, Degas utilized drawing to dissect figures in motion, often employing a cropped perspective influenced by photography to capture poses that were too fleeting for the eye alone. This classification as a drawing underscores the artist’s technical rigor, revealing his preparatory process and focus on the dynamic relationship between the jockey and his mount. The detailed study of horses and dancers became a hallmark of the artist's career, cementing his reputation as a master draftsman in 19th-century France.

While the artist is widely recognized for his oil paintings and pastels, works like Jockey underscore his technical brilliance in graphic arts. This piece remains a vital part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago, illustrating the evolution of French draftsmanship during the period. As a well-documented drawing from the late 19th century, the image is frequently reproduced as high-quality prints for educational purposes, reflecting its ongoing influence and availability within the public domain of artistic reference.