Jean-Louis-André-Théodore Géricault

Géricault’s representions of contemporary experience, drawn largely from direct observation, emphasized the human element. This drawing probably dates from Géricault’s trip to London, where he spent his days sketching his impressions of street life with incisive realism. He was interested, paradoxically, both in street derelicts and in the modern and fashionable aspects of an industrialized London.

Degas owned a small group of equestrian lithographs by Géricault that influenced his early study of racehorses and racing scenes. Degas drew repeatedly after Géricault’s equestrian images in preparation for his own pictures of racetracks.