Big Race

Clarice Smith, Big Race, 2001, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Melvin and Ryna Cohen and the Funger Foundation, Norma Lee and Morton Funger, 2003.3
Clarice Smith, Big Race, 2001, oil on canvas, 36 1276 12 in. (92.7194.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Melvin and Ryna Cohen and the Funger Foundation, Norma Lee and Morton Funger, 2003.3

Artwork Details

Title
Big Race
Date
2001
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
36 1276 12 in. (92.7194.3 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Melvin and Ryna Cohen and the Funger Foundation, Norma Lee and Morton Funger
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure group — male
  • Occupation — sport — jockey
  • Equestrian
Object Number
2003.3

Artwork Description

Clarice Smith loves horses and has created many paintings of equestrian events, including races, polo matches, and show jumping. In Big Race, she emphasized the fast-paced action of the event by painting the horses and their riders at close range. The huddled figures and intent expressions of the jockeys reveal the breathtaking proximity of the riders as they maneuver for advantage and head toward the finish line. The horizontal format of the canvas and Smith's lively brushstrokes underscore the drama of the race as we imagine the horses thundering around the track.

Works by this artist (1 item)

Francis Whitaker, Iron Cross, 1983, forged iron, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the friends of Francis Whitaker, 1997.66
Iron Cross
Date1983
forged iron
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Richard Horosko-Manderbach, Candelabrum, ca. 1975, iron, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.153
Candelabrum
Dateca. 1975
iron
On view
Sondra Sherman, M-O-P Button Necklace, 1987, constructed mother-of-pearl, glass buttons, and iron wire, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Libby Cooper in memory of Lillian Bardfield, 2002.60
M‑O-P Button Necklace
Date1987
constructed mother-of-pearl, glass buttons, and iron wire
Not on view
June Schwarcz, Bowl #804, 1981, electroplated copper, and enameled, electroplated, and oiled iron, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Carl W. Schwarcz, 1981.34
Bowl #804
Date1981
electroplated copper, and enameled, electroplated, and oiled iron
On view
Odd Fellows Third Degree Banner, ca. 1908, painted and embroidered satin with metallic fringe and tassles, cotton lining, and metal, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.354
Odd Fellows Third Degree Banner
Dateca. 1908
painted and embroidered satin with metallic fringe and tassles, cotton lining, and metal
Not on view