Studies of a Horse

"Studies of a Horse" by Edgar Degas (French, 1834-1917) is a compelling example of the artist's relentless focus on preparatory drawing. Executed between 1868 and 1875, this detailed study utilizes graphite with skillful stumping on tan wove paper. The technique of stumping-rubbing the medium to create smoky, blended transitions-allowed Degas to meticulously model the form of the animal with exceptional subtlety, capturing the complex musculature and texture of the horse’s coat.

Degas, a central figure in 19th-century French art, was perpetually fascinated by kinetics and observation, whether documenting the precise movements of dancers or the powerful energy of racehorses. These observational drawings, produced extensively throughout his career in France, reveal the intense study required before subjects were transferred to larger canvases or rendered as sophisticated prints. The composition features multiple views of the horse's head and neck, slightly shifting position across the page, underscoring Degas’s dedication to naturalistic rendering and anatomical accuracy.

Classified simply as a drawing, this piece demonstrates the artist’s foundational academic training coupled with the observational immediacy characteristic of his Realist period. The work provides a vital insight into the evolution of Degas’s equine subjects, such as his celebrated racing scenes. This essential drawing is part of the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.