Artwork preview

Preparing to Start

Thomas Rowlandson

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts a horse racing event from an elevated viewpoint. The background shows a sloping horizon with hills and scattered trees. The sky has soft clouds against a light blue backdrop. The color scheme is vibrant with bright pastels and earthy tones. In the foreground, spectators and horseback riders gather around a platform where officials stand under a red roof. Further back, jockeys in colorful attire prepare for the race. Tents and stands in the distance indicate more spectators.

Artwork Details

Date
1811
Medium
hand-colored etching
Dimensions
5105 × 3511 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original