Alexander and Bucephalus (detail) 1861

This is a detail of Edgar Degas' unfinished painting, "Alexander and Bucephalus." Degas, living in 19th century France, wrestled with the rigid expectations of academic painting, and we can see that tension here. While the subject matter is pulled from classical antiquity, the painting feels incredibly modern. Degas leaves sections unpainted, exposing the raw canvas. His brushstrokes are loose and exploratory, more interested in capturing the movement of light and form than in rendering a polished, idealized scene. Consider the myth itself: a young Alexander tames the wild horse Bucephalus, foreshadowing his future as a powerful leader. But instead of focusing on Alexander’s triumph, Degas seems drawn to the raw energy of the horse and the landscape. Look at the emotion in the upturned faces of the crowd, it creates a sense of anticipation. In this unfinished state, we see Degas grappling with the very act of creation, inviting us to witness the messy, imperfect process of bringing history to life on canvas.