The Derby of Epsom

The Derby of Epsom

Artist	Théodore Géricault
Year	1821
Type	Oil painting
Dimensions	92 cm × 123 cm (36 in × 48 in)
Location	Louvre, Paris

The Derby of Epsom, also traditionally named the 1821 Derby at Epsom, is an 1821 painting by Théodore Géricault.

Fascinated by the horses, Géricault made many paintings portraying them. Working for a while at the imperial stables, he had the opportunity to study in detail and made numerous "portraits" of horses.^[1] This work is not related to that series of portraits but it illustrates a similar theme horses, as the artist has done many times, such as in Officer Hunter Horse of the Imperial Guard Charging in 1812 or Race of Free Horses in Rome in 1819.^[2]

This work is a rare and valuable example of painting dated from his travel in England, but Géricault preferred to work lithography. He painted this painting for the English horse dealer Adam Elmore. The painting was acquired by the Musée du Louvre in 1866.^[3] The position of the horses' legs in the painting - with both front and hind legs extended outwards - is never actually exhibited by a galloping horse. This was discovered by Eadweard Muybridge in 1878.

References

1. ^ Cartelfr.louvre.fr Retrieved June 3, 2009
2. ^ Cartelfr.louvre.fr Retrieved June 3, 2009
3. ^ Cartelfr.louvre.fr Retrieved June 3, 2009