Le Defile is a painting created by Edgar Degas during the late 1860s. The artwork is a genre painting exhibiting jockeys and horses on a race track. Degas was a significant figure among the Impressionist group, well-known for his depictions of Parisian life, especially ballet dancers. The artist utilized pastel and coarse hatching techniques to produce specific lighting effects in his paintings.
Degas was influenced by Japanese art and the idea of the flâneur in modern art. Despite being reluctant to align himself with other Impressionists due to his refined drawing style, he maintained an association with the group. Le Defile is a unique artwork in Degas’s body of work, as it is one of his rare paintings that does not depict a ballerina.
The Dance Class is another remarkable painting created by Degas that portrays ballerinas. Young Woman with Ibis is also a well-known piece of work by Degas. Degas’s artworks, including Le Defile, are recognized for their emphasis on movement, meticulous draftsmanship, and unconventional angles. The use of color, light, and line distinguishes Degas’s artwork from other Impressionists.