Three Jockeys — Edgar Degas

ABOUT THIS WORK

Three jockeys, hunched low over their horses, surge forward in a burst of color and motion. Degas captures the raw energy of the race, using pastel on tracing paper to create a sense of immediacy and speed. The horses’ powerful legs are a blur, their forms almost merging with the vibrant background. This isn't a static portrait of a winner, but a dynamic slice of an ongoing event, focusing on the intense effort of both rider and animal. The artist often returned to the subject of horse racing, exploring the modern spectacle of the track through different compositions and techniques. Here, the almost abstract quality of the background, rendered in broad strokes, emphasizes the jockeys' intense focus and the fleeting nature of the moment.

DETAILS

Artist: Edgar Degas
Date: 1900
Medium: Pastel on tracing paper, laid down on board
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art

ART MOVEMENTS

Impressionism

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What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Pick one and we’ll show you exactly where to look.

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01

Orange-jacketed jockey

The jockey in the orange jacket leans far forward, one hand pressed on the horse's neck. His bright color pulls the eye in first.

1 of 5 on the painting

02

Drooping lead horse

The front horse lowers its head almost to the grass, with its hind legs gathered beneath it. The pose feels weary and still, more like waiting than a charge.

2 of 5 on the painting

03

Cropped horse at right

The third horse is cut off by the right edge, its rump turned toward us. The crop feels like a snapshot, as if the group is just passing by.

3 of 5 on the painting

04

Hatched grass strokes

Look at the field: short upright strokes of green, lilac and white pastel overlap and let the paper's texture show through. They read as grass without any individual blades drawn.

4 of 5 on the painting

05

Stormy glowing sky

The sky is scrubbed in yellow, pink and blue-gray, with a golden glow behind the far jockeys. It gives the scene a moody light that seems to color the field below.

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THE ARTIST