Signed lower left.
Situated lower right.
Sizes:
Frame: 35 × 42.5 cm | 13.8 × 16.7 in
Artwork: 24 × 31 cm | 9.4 × 12.2 in
Step into the refined world of Horse Race at Longchamp, an elegant drawing by Edouard Zawiski that captures the pageantry and social ritual of Belle Époque France. The scene is animated by a crowd of stylish spectators gathered at the rail, fixated on the racing spectacle. With subtle color accents and confident draftsmanship, Zawiski invites the viewer into a moment of poised anticipation just as the tension before the race reaches its peak.
Zawiski’s finely detailed rendering in graphite and wash on toned paper is more than a mere equestrian scene—it is a study of posture, gesture, and atmosphere. Each figure is carefully observed: from the tall top hats to the flowing coats, the composition radiates civility and focus. The jockey, bright in his checkered silks, is a counterpoint to the sea of hats and tailored backs that dominate the foreground, creating a dynamic tension between spectacle and observation.
Subtle shading and skillful handling of light suggest the soft illumination of a cloudy Parisian day, while the compressed arrangement of figures evokes the energy and structure of a social gathering rooted in tradition and status. The work is at once observational and lyrical—an image of sport elevated to a quiet theatre of manners.
Rendered with classical finesse and documentary precision, Horse Race at Longchamp offers a rare glimpse into the visual language of elite Parisian life at the turn of the century. Zawiski, active during a time when drawing was still valued as both an academic exercise and a form of finished expression, brings both refinement and humanity to this charming composition.
The drawing is signed lower left and accompanied by original gallery and exhibition labels on the verso, attesting to its provenance and history. With its carefully preserved condition and ornate period frame, the work stands as a testament to the golden age of French drawing.
Edouard Zawiski’s works are seldom encountered on the market, and even more rarely in such complete and elegant form. Horse Race at Longchamp offers collectors a unique opportunity to acquire a scene that is at once historically grounded and artistically timeless. Whether as a piece of Belle Époque visual culture or as a masterful study in graphite and wash, this work holds enduring visual appeal and cultural value.
Acquired by the current owner at Flanders Auctions as Lot 234 from ‘The Collection of Berko Fine Paintings – Part 2’.
Good vintage condition with some signs of wear. Framed.
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Edouard Zawiski was a French artist known for his finely detailed depictions of equestrian life and fashionable society in the Belle Époque era. Rooted in the traditions of academic drawing, Zawiski combined classical precision with a lively sense of observation, capturing moments of elegance, leisure, and spectacle on the racetracks and boulevards of France.
Though not widely known today, Zawiski’s works are a window into a world of aristocratic pastimes and Parisian sophistication. His drawings and paintings often feature refined figures immersed in conversation or ceremony, set against architecturally balanced compositions. His legacy lives on in collections that value the charm and historical nuance of turn-of-the-century French life.
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