Les courses de chevaux

Honoré Daumier

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a satirical illustration of a horse race with a large crowd of people. Only midsections and heads are visible, and the crowd has exaggerated features. Some individuals have traditional Chinese queue hairstyles, while others wear clothing with intricate designs. The central focus is on a horse rearing up as if about to start running, with a rider on a box-like saddle holding reigns. In the background, there are faintly sketched trees and landforms, suggesting a rural setting. French inscriptions at the top and bottom translate to "VOYAGE EN CHINE" (Journey to China) and "LES COURSES DE CHEVAUX" (Horse Races), respectively.