Chevaux de courses by Raoul Dufy

Raoul Dufy
1877-1953 | French

Chevaux de courses
(Racing Horses)

Signed and dated "Raoul Dufy 1929" (lower right)
Watercolor and gouache on Arches paper

Raoul Dufy's fascination with horse racing first emerged in his art as early as 1913. However, it was not until the early 1920s, when couturier Paul Poiret encouraged him to observe the races to study fashionable dress, that horse racing began to solidify as a central theme in Dufy's work. Friends who joined Dufy on his initial visits to the racecourse noted his keen interest in the vibrant colors of the horses and jockeys, rather than the fashionable crowd. Over time, Dufy's racecourse scenes evolved to highlight the dynamic interplay of green turf, blue railings and multicolored crowds set against a backdrop of nature, capturing the energetic and colorful essence of the races. Chevaux de courses exemplifies the dynamic scenes and vibrant colors that characterize Dufy's oeuvre, capturing the lively spirit of the 1920s.

This scene bursts to life with vibrant colors and the dynamic movement of majestic horses. In the foreground, horses and their jockeys prepare for their moment in the spotlight, while in the background, a race unfolds at full speed. A vivid snapshot of sport, fashion and culture, this painting is brimming with life and energy.

Born in Le Havre, Normandy, both Dufy and his brother Jean showed a talent for drawing at an early age. He would eventually enroll in the École d'Art in Le Havre, and later, the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. After viewing Matisse's Luxe, Calme et Volupte in 1904, Dufy adopted the bright color and flat compositions of the Fauvists. By 1909, the artist sought more austerity in his painting, and he became drawn to the works of Cézanne and the Cubists. From this point forward, Dufy's compositions presented a blend of the ideals upheld by these two artistic groups. His use of bold lines and colors, dynamic brushstrokes and other painterly qualities found in his paintings are a testament to his unique Expressionist ideals.

Dated 1929

Paper: 18" high x 24" wide (45.72 cm x 60.96 cm)
Frame: 29" high x 35" wide x 2 1/2" deep (73.66 cm x 88.90 cm x 6.35 cm)

Literature:
Fanny Guillon-Laffaille, Raoul Dufy, The supplement to the Catalogue raisonné des aquarelles, gouaches et pastels, Paris, reference As-0773

Provenance:
Private collection, California
Sale: Christie's New York, Sale 7452, May 13, 1992, Lot 253
Private collection, Atlanta, GA
M.S. Rau, New Orleans