Degas Appraisal

Framed 'Carriage at the Races' (Degas) Metropolitan Museum of Art Exhibition Poster

The item is a framed exhibition poster and/or art print featuring Edgar Degas's famous painting, 'Carriage at the Races' (also known as 'Horses Before the Stands' or 'At the Racecourse: The Carriages'). The print is housed in a simple, rectangular, medium-brown wooden frame, which appears to have a relatively flat profile. The overall dimensions are not provided, but it appears to be a standard medium to large size for a poster. The print itself depicts a lively outdoor scene at a flat, grassy racecourse under a bright, slightly cloudy or hazy blue sky. In the foreground, a prominent carriage, drawn by two dark horses, holds several figures. A man with a top hat is seated, possibly driving, while a woman in a white dress under a parasol is also visible. The mid-ground and background show other figures on horseback, some possibly jockeys, and additional carriages, indicating a bustling race day. Distant structures or tents can be seen at the edge of the field. The colors are predominantly greens and blues for the landscape and sky, with a rich palette for the figures and horses. The print includes text at the bottom, clearly identifying 'DEGAS' in large red letters, followed by 'THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART' and exhibition dates 'OCTOBER 11, 1988 - JANUARY 8, 1989'. This text serves as a key identifying feature, dating the poster to that specific exhibition period. There are visible signs of wear and age on both the frame and the print. The frame shows some scuffs or minor chips, particularly noticeable along its edges. The print itself has some dust or debris under the glass, and there are what appear to be small dark spots or imperfections on the surface, indicating either dirt, minor damage to the print, or possibly even fly specks. The surface of the print also exhibits some glare, suggesting it is under glass or a clear protective layer, which is common for framed prints and posters. The overall impression is that of a well-loved or older decorative piece, consistent with an item from the late 1980s.