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The Race Track, or Death on a Pale Horse, c. 1896-1908 (oil on canvas)
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The Race Track, or Death on a Pale Horse, c. 1896-1908 (oil on canvas)
491130 The Race Track, or Death on a Pale Horse, c.1896-1908 (oil on canvas) by Ryder, Albert Pinkham (1847-1917); 70.5x90 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: Ryders subject was inspired by a horse race that took place in New York during 1888. One of the artists friends wagered on the race and then committed suicide after the horse lost. Death appears as a skeleton on horseback holding a scythe with which he cuts down the living, while a snake, a sign of temptation and evil, slithers in the foreground.); Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund; American, out of copyright
Media ID 22403676
© Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund / Bridgeman Images
Atmospheric Gallop Galloping Moody Motion Pale Racing Scythe Skeleton Skeletons Speed Symbolism Track Allegorical Mortality Serpent Snakes Symbolic
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The Race Track, or Death on a Pale Horse
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a haunting and thought-provoking painting by Albert Pinkham Ryder. This artwork, created between 1896-1908, depicts an allegorical scene inspired by a tragic horse race that took place in New York in 1888. Ryder's canvas portrays the grim figure of Death himself, appearing as a skeleton mounted on a pale horse. In his bony hand, he wields a scythe with which he mercilessly cuts down the living. A snake slithers ominously in the foreground, symbolizing temptation and evil. The artist masterfully captures movement and speed through his brushstrokes, creating an atmospheric and moody ambiance. The galloping horses add to the sense of urgency and tension within the composition. Through this powerful allegory, Ryder explores themes of mortality and our inevitable encounter with death. The painting serves as a reminder of life's fragility and how quickly it can be extinguished. "The Race Track" is not merely about horse racing; it delves into deeper symbolic meanings that resonate with viewers even today. It invites contemplation on our own mortality while highlighting the fleeting nature of existence. This remarkable piece now resides at the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio, USA. Its timeless message continues to captivate audiences worldwide as they ponder their own journey along life's race track.
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