Head of the Fallen Jockey (study for "Scene from the Steeplechase: The Fallen Jockey")

c. 1866

Edgar Degas

Associated Names
Edgar Degas

Artist, French, 1834 - 1917

The image shows a close-up view of a person's upper body, focusing on the head and shoulders. The person is lying down, depicted in profile with the face turned upward. The facial features include a slightly open mouth, a relaxed expression, and closed eyes. The person has short, dark hair swept back from the face, and is draped in a garment covering the shoulders. There are no visible accessories or objects near the person. The background is a plain, textured surface that complements the drawing's tone and emphasizes the subject.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    black chalk heightened with white on brown paper

  • Credit Line

    Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon

  • Dimensions

    overall: 25.4 x 34 cm (10 x 13 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1999.79.7

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Lemoisne 1946, no. 143

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Atelier Degas, Paris, until 1917 (Lugt 657); René de Gas [1845-1921], Paris; (sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 10 November 1927, no. 20); Roland Nepveu-de Gas [1885-1962], Paris, until at least 1931. Armand Dorville [1875-1941], Paris; (sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 24 November 1964, no. 33); (Hector Brame, Paris); Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, Upperville, VA, until 1999; gift to NGA, 1999.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1931

  • Degas Portraitiste, Sculpteur, Musée de l'Orangerie, Paris, 1931, no. 101 (as "Portrait d'Achille de Gas").

1998

  • Degas at the Races, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1998, no. 23.

1999

  • An Enduring Legacy: Masterpieces from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1999-2000.

2016

  • Degas: A New Vision, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne; The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 2016-2017.

Bibliography

1946

  • Lemoisne, Paul André. Degas et son oeuvre. 4 vols. Paris: Arts et metiers graphiques, 1946-1949. Vols. 2 and 3, 1946. Reprinted in 5 vols., New York and London, 1984.

1984

  • Lemoisne, Paul-André. Degas et son Oeuvre 5 vols. New York, 1984: 72-73, no. 143.

1998

  • Degas at the Races. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1998: no. 23.

2000

  • "Gifts and Acquisitions." National Gallery of Art Bulletin no. 23 (Spring 2000): 5.

Inscriptions

by later hand, center left verso in graphite: 6

Wikidata ID

Q64556379

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