Head of the Fallen Jockey (study for "Scene from the Steeplechase: The Fallen Jockey")
1866
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1866
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a jockey lying on the ground, fallen from his horse. He's dressed in riding clothes and a hat. The jockey's body is twisted in an awkward position. The detail that makes this work interesting is the way Degas focused on the jockey's pose and expression. To learn more about the artist's use of contrasting light and dark, look up the technique: chiaroscuro.
