Equestrienne (At the Cirque Fernando)
1888
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
1888
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
The painting shows a woman on a horse, about to jump through a hoop. She's dressed in a tutu and her face is tense. The rider's expression and the horse's movement suggest a lot of energy. The rider might be based on a real person, Suzanne Valadon, who was a circus performer and artist. This connection makes the painting more interesting, as it combines art and real life. To learn more about this style, look at the work of artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
