Illustration
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)
Cite This Work
APA Style
Gallery, N. (2021, June 14). Young Spartans Exercising by Degas. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14242/young-spartans-exercising-by-degas/
Chicago Style
Gallery, National. "Young Spartans Exercising by Degas." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified June 14, 2021. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14242/young-spartans-exercising-by-degas/.
MLA Style
Gallery, National. "Young Spartans Exercising by Degas." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 14 Jun 2021. Web. 21 Feb 2025.