Degas at the Races: Paintings and Drawings

Fallen Jockey (study for Scene from the Steeplechase: The Fallen Jockey), c. 1866, charcoal and white chalk on paper, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, Upperville, Virginia previous next back to paintings and drawings

Degas' numerous studies for Scene from the Steeplechase: The Fallen Jockey are evidence of how important this painting was to him. They record the various stages in the evolution of the painting, in which both technique and medium change.

This drawing of the fallen jockey shows most of the body. When you look at the drawings and the painting, a question comes to mind: is he fallen, or is he dead? In the painting's original state, he looks stunned, but in the later version his head is so close to the horse's leg that there is a sense of impending danger, the threat of death, which strengthens the tension and drama in the picture.

The technique of the drawing is beautiful. Degas combined not only graphite and charcoal, but pastel for a hint of color. A bit of the pink silk from the painting reoccurs, and delicate touches of white chalk create the highlights. It is very much a drawing in process, and this is visible particularly in the figure's right leg (on the left-hand side of the drawing), where the various lines suggest that Degas may be working out the position of the limb.