Race Horses at Longchamp, 1874
Edgar Degas
Edgar Degas, one of the greatest French Impressionists of the mid-1800’s, painted more than just ballerinas. Yes, indeed.
In the winter of 1872 Degas traveled to New Orleans, the birthplace of his mother, and became enamored with horses and the famous New Orleans Fairgrounds’ Racetrack.
Result: masterpiece equine paintings!
Race Horses at Longchamp, 1873
Edgar Degas
Today you may walk down Esplanade Ave, where his mother’s family lived, and follow the artist’s footsteps on the way to that same racecourse.
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Dawn Harris Brown, New Orleans cookbook author, imagines what Degas and friends would eat and drink after a “tough” day at the races in the 19th century…and the 21st century!
Tally-ho Cocktail
Tally-ho Cocktail
2 ounces grenadine (a syrup, from the French word meaning pomegranate)
2 ounces sloe gin
2 ounces triple sec
2 ounces rum
juice of 1 lime
2 cups crushed ice
1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 30 seconds.
2. Pour into a martini glass.
3. Decorate with a continuous peeled lime attached to the lip of glass and entwined around the stem. Garnish with a cherry. Serve immediately.
Tally-ho, Monsieur Degas!
Fascinating!!
Never knew Degas traveled to the colonies–
Much less New Orleans!!!
Kirby, what a scintillating confluence of ideas! You’re becoming more and more creative in your juxtapositions – and your audience is just so happy to sit back and watch. Thank you!
How is it that I didn’t know Degas traveled to the Colonies! That is such a gem of a tidbit of information! If he hadn’t traveled across the pond he may never have discovered his love of painting horses. Thank you Kirby!
Tally-ho cocktail indeed! I would never have expected a cocktail recipe to be prominently featured as a part of a serious discussion of Degas’ work. “Vely inneresting!” It is good to know–a revelation for me– that Degas was as adept at depicting a mare as he was at capturing the essence of femininity. Thanks once again for your informative blog.
Thanks for your comment, David. Some folks might think the Tally-ho Cocktail is just as serious as Degas’ art!
Kirby
Tres elegante! (Sorry, this page won’t allow diacritical marks)
I just had the opportunity to see an amazing exhibit at the Hyde Museum in Glens Falls, NY. It is entitled Modern Nature: Georgia O’Keefe and Lake George. If you can get access to the show’s work, it could make for an interesting future blog. The show is there until mid-September.
Warm regards
Mary Lou
My neighbor has a large Pomegranate Tree and Martha is up on a big ladder picking the High Hanging Fruit and wanted me to smash it and get the Juice-I did the Best I could and got a quart of red juice. So we decided to back into the formula and Martha got two Half Gallons Of Gold Bacardi Rum and all the stuff to make it to the last Drop as you requested!! I could barley call 911 as I passed out, but woke up sleeping on the Pourch with the Bears and thank God all Parts are still in place!
Donnie Mae
Once again, Kirby, informative and interesting. I prefer to enjoy Degas’s work glorifying the feminine form. But, I do not disregard his enjoyment of horse racing or horses – such magnificent muscle and bone structure.
The cocktail recipe is a special treat. I cannot cook, save boil water, and I am not particularly good serving as a bartender. So, any help in preparing a tasty beverage is always a pleasure and a needed help.
Thank you. And, “…enjoy”.
Vic
amo desenho e cores de Degas
Obrigado!
Of course, I love most of all the painting of the horses, but I am a horse lover. Degas captured the spirit of the jockeys and horses very intent at a race and the excitement between all the participants.
Dede
Art and food, what a wonderful combination!