Start of the Race of the Barberi Horses, Rome 1860

Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux made this drawing in Rome using graphite and watercolor. The strokes of graphite suggest a frenzied energy, mirroring the chaotic scene depicted. Notice how Carpeaux captures the tension and anticipation right before the start of the race. The Barberi horses, notoriously wild and unridden, were a spectacle of raw power and unpredictability during the Roman Carnival. The artist’s technique of layering watercolor washes adds depth and movement, enhancing the sense of dynamism. It’s important to remember that Carpeaux was not merely creating a pretty picture; he was engaging with a deeply embedded social ritual. The race itself was a release of social tension, a moment when the rigid hierarchies of Roman society were momentarily suspended in favor of communal excitement. By focusing on the materiality of the drawing, we can better understand the cultural significance of the Roman horse race, inviting us to look beyond the surface and consider the broader social, political, and economic forces that shaped both the event and its artistic representation.