{"product_id":"cheval-en-course-by-claude-monet","title":"Cheval en course by Claude Monet","description":"Claude Monet\u003cbr\u003e 1840–1926 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eCheval en course\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Racehorse)\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “O. Monet” (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Pencil and watercolor on paper \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Claude Monet is widely considered one of the most important artists of all time—revered for his groundbreaking contributions to art history. This exceptional drawing, \u003cem\u003eCheval en course\u003c\/em\u003e, is the earliest recorded work by the Impressionist master. Highly rare and full of detail and movement, this artwork captures the origins of Monet’s visionary genius.   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eCheval en course\u003c\/em\u003e reveals the same sharp eye and expert draftsmanship that would later define Monet’s monumental career. His linework is confident and highly detailed, bringing the racehorse to life in a “flying gallop”—a traditional 19th-century convention for depicting speed, which inaccurately shows the horse with all four legs outstretched and airborne at once. Monet brings a striking vitality to the composition, balancing the tension of the rider with a wonderful sensation of forward momentum. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e As his earliest artwork, this drawing held particular significance to Monet. He kept it for decades and finally gifted it directly to his beloved stepdaughter, Suzanne Hoschedé-Butler, who held a meaningful place in Monet’s personal and artistic world. She frequently appeared in some of his most celebrated Giverny figure paintings. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It is quite rare to find such early Monet drawings today, with very few surviving and the overwhelming majority now in major museums, including the Musée d’Orsay, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Art Institute of Chicago. \u003cem\u003eCheval en course\u003c\/em\u003e also has the distinction of bearing the desirable signature “O. Monet,” a rare occurrence as the artist then went by his formal name, Oscar-Claude Monet. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1855 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Paper: 8 1\/2\" high x 11\" wide (21.6 x 27.9 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 17 1\/2\" high x 20\" wide x 1 1\/2\" deep (44.5 x 50.8 x 3.8 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e The artist\u003cbr\u003e Collection of Suzanne Hoschedé-Butler, gifted by the above\u003cbr\u003e Private collection\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e Daniel Wildenstein, \u003cem\u003eClaude Monet: Catalogue raisonné\u003c\/em\u003e, volume V, 1991, no. D405, p. 121 (illustrated)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45061943787655,"sku":"32-1919","price":298500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1919_1.png?v=1782775291","url":"https:\/\/rauantiques.com\/products\/cheval-en-course-by-claude-monet","provider":"M.S. Rau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}