The Start of the Race of the Riderless Horses

The Start of the Race of the Riderless Horses from 1820 at the Metropolitan Museum depicts the carnival races in Rome where riderless horses raced through the streets. Vernet witnessed these spectacles during his time as director of the French Academy in Rome. As a painter deeply committed to visual journalism, Vernet sketched campaigns from direct observation and was renowned for his ability to render horses, soldiers, and battle formations with unmatched clarity and energy.

The dynamic composition captures the excitement of the race with characteristic energy. Vernet's equestrian expertise and theatrical composition create a vivid spectacle.