At The Races In The Countryside 1869

Edgar Degas captured this scene of leisure with oil on canvas. Degas's 'At The Races In The Countryside' depicts a slice of upper-class French life. Made during the Second Empire, the painting gives us insights into the social codes of the time. Horse racing was more than just a sport; it was a social event, a place to see and be seen, where class distinctions were both reinforced and subtly challenged. Notice the composition. Degas positions us not among the crowd, but with a family in their carriage, complete with a dog. It’s a deliberate choice, offering a glimpse into their world, but also holding us at a distance. To understand Degas, explore the illustrated journals and fashion plates of the time. These resources reveal the visual culture that shaped his art, underlining the complex interplay between social life and artistic expression. The beauty of art lies in its ability to reflect, critique, and shape the society from which it emerges.