Study of Horses

Study of Horses is a masterful drawing created by Edgar Degas in 1886. This finished work, executed primarily in charcoal and graphite on brown paper, showcases the renowned French artist’s lifelong fascination with capturing subjects in dynamic motion. Unlike his famous ballet scenes, this piece focuses intently on equine anatomy and musculature, likely serving as a preparatory study or a detailed observation for a larger painting, pastel, or sculpture.

Working with loose yet confident handling, Degas employs charcoal and heavy graphite to create deep contrasts and immediate presence on the warm, textured paper. The artist uses sweeping lines to suggest the definition of the horses’ forms and the kinetic energy inherent in their movement. This rigorous attention to form and motion aligns with Degas’s commitment to capturing modernity and candid, unposed reality. The emphasis on observable detail and the precise rendering of the animals fit squarely within the tradition of academic sketching while simultaneously embodying the observational spirit prevalent in French art spanning the period of 1876 to 1900.

As a definitive example of Degas’s unparalleled draftsmanship, this work highlights the versatility of a master who explored themes ranging from Parisian nightlife to racecourses. The drawing is housed in the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a critical link between the artist's finished works and his exploratory processes. Given its historical significance, high-quality reproductions and prints of this key drawing are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring wider study and appreciation of the preparatory studies central to the career of this influential artist.