Race Course at Longchamps

c. 1870

French 19th Century

Associated Names
This painting shows a countryside scene by a wide dirt path with a distant horizon featuring low hills. The light blue sky above is covered in puffy white clouds. Closest to us, at the bottom of the painting, is a grassy green slope with trees in front of the wide path. People sit or stand in the grass, facing away from us and towards the path. Along the path are people on horseback. On the far side of the path is a wide, open field that leads to low brown buildings and a few white tents. Dark smudges suggest crowds of people outside of these buildings. The color scheme includes earthy greens, browns, tans, creams, blues, and whites. The painting uses short, thick brushstrokes, and dots and streaks of paint suggest details rather than showing them clearly.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on canvas

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 32 x 49.2 x 2 cm (12 5/8 x 19 3/8 x 13/16 in.)
    framed: 42.9 x 59.7 x 3.5 cm (16 7/8 x 23 1/2 x 1 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1970.17.114


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Possibly (Alexis Ottoz, Paris.)[1] (Carroll Carstairs Gallery, New York); sold 26 January 1949 to Mrs. Ailsa Mellon Bruce [1901-1969], New York;[2] bequest 1970 to NGA.
[1]According to label on back. Ottoz was a Parisian dealer in the late 19th century. This picture was not included in the sale of his personal collection on 14 April 1874. [2]Carstairs invoice is dated 26 January 1949, copy in NGA curatorial files.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1986

  • Extended loan for use by Secretary Samuel R. Pierce, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C., 1986-1989.

1989

  • Extended loan for use by The Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1989-1991.

1994

  • Extended loan for use by Secretary Richard Riley, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C., 1994-1998.

2015

  • Extended loan for use by Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., 2015.

Bibliography

1975

  • European Paintings: An Illustrated Summary Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1975: 140, repro.

1985

  • European Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1985: 28, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q20188735

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