Artwork
Gig Upsetting at the Races
Gig Upsetting at the Races is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Philip James de Loutherbourg. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg's 1784 oil painting, Gig Upsetting at the Races, depicts a dramatic sporting event centered on horse racing.
Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg's 1784 oil painting, Gig Upsetting at the Races, depicts a dramatic sporting event centered on horse racing. The composition captures the chaotic moment a horse-drawn carriage overturns during a race, featuring horses, a carriage, and human figures caught in the accident. Classified as a genre scene, the work focuses on the immediate physical turmoil and action of the equestrian sport rather than an idealized or allegorical representation.
The subject matter highlights the inherent dangers and excitement associated with 18th-century horse racing culture, presenting a snapshot of real-life peril within a competitive setting.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting on canvas, created in 1784 and housed in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. It depicts a horse racing scene with a horse and carriage, reflecting the genre of sporting events. The composition emphasizes the dynamic movement of the horse and carriage, characteristic of the artist's handling of the medium.
The painting measures 132.1 cm in height and 183.5 cm in width, executed in oil paint on canvas, which contributes to its textured surface and vivid coloration.
History & Provenance
Philip James de Loutherbourg created the oil painting Gig Upsetting at the Races in 1784. The work depicts a sporting event involving a horse and carriage, rendered on canvas with dimensions of 132.1 cm in height and 183.5 cm in width. While the specific commission details and the full chain of ownership prior to its current location are not detailed in the available records, the painting is currently held by the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
The painting is held by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. It is recorded there with accession number 1975.58.
It has appeared in the museum’s holdings since at least 1975, when it was accessioned. No further exhibition history is documented in the cited sources.
Overview
Philip James de Loutherbourg’s oil painting Gig Upsetting at the Races (1792) captures a sudden mishap during a horse‑racing event. Executed in the late Rococo style, the work presents a bustling crowd, overturned carriage, and startled horses, all set against a backdrop of tents and trees. The canvas is part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s permanent collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philip James de Loutherbourg, RA (born Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg; 31 October 1740 – 11 March 1812) was a French-born British painter who became known for his large naval works, his elaborate set designs for…
