Image Gallery
Young Spartans Exercising by Degas
A c. 1861 oil on canvas painting, Young Spartans Exercising, by Edgar Degas (1834-1917), the French impressionist painter. A typical early work of the artist when he was still interested in becoming a historical painter. The frieze-like quality reminds of Neoclassical art. The scene may be interpreted as an athletic battle between the sexes. The boys seems more confident, the girls rather a mix with one being held back and another lunging towards the males as if in a challenge. Then again, the full original title is revealing: The Young Spartan Girls Provoking the Boys. In the centre at a distance, the elders of the community look on. (National Gallery, London)
Bibliography
- Howard, Michael. Encyclopedia of Impressionism. Thunder Bay Pr, 1997.
- Kear, Jon. Degas. Lorenz Books, 2012.
- Rubin, James H & Lablanche, Dominique & Manss, Thomas. Impressionism A&I . Phaidon Press, 1999.
- Thomson, Belinda. Impressionism. Thames & Hudson, 2022.