Thoroughbred Horse, Walking
Artist
Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas
(1834 - 1917)
Datec. 1865-1881
MediumBronze
Dimensions13 x 10 x 21 cm
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineCollection & image © Hugh Lane Gallery.
Bequeathed by Mrs J. H. Twigg through her nephew Surgeon Captain F. J. D. Twigg, 1937.
Object number808
DescriptionDancers and horses with their supple bodies and graceful movements were the subject matter for nearly all of Degas' sculpture. They were his conduit to a unique transparency of form and movement, which was manifest in his entire oeuvre. Thoroughbred Horse Walking is part of a series of sculptures exploring physical automation. Such manifestation of movement were aided by his study of photography in particular that of Eadweard Muybridge (1830-1904) whose photographs of moving horses first appeared in Paris in 1878 in the December edition of La Nature. Because Degas was so secretive about his sculpture it is difficult to date Thoroughbred Horse Walking, but it was probably modelled sometime before 1881. The renowned athleticism of the racehorse is celebrated in this small beautifully realised work. Movement and form are emphasised by the exposed spinal cord, which is central to the locomotive prowess of the thoroughbred. Of all of the sculpture found in Degas' studio, seventy three pieces were cast in bronze by the founder A.A. Hebrard, each in addition of twenty two listed from A to T, which were for sale. The remaining two were reserved for founder and the heirs of the artist. This sculpture is marked G. (BD)Thoroughbred Horse - Walking
Original: Yellow - Brown wax and exposed wire armature.
Ht. 13cm, Bronze no. 66, G
Mrs. J. H. Twigg Bequest, 1937
On View
Not on view
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