'To the Post' by Yves Fournier (circa 1970s)

'To the Post', pastel on art paper, by Yves Fournier (circa 1970s). The runners are heading out onto the course. Jockeys in bright silks ride their horses past the rail with remarkable calm, given that in a few minutes they'll be jostling for position after a lightning start from the stalls. In the foreground, racegoers lean on the fence to watch them pass, as though sizing up their bets.

The artist's pastel is laid down swiftly and freely, with some glimpses of bare paper giving the whole scene its shimmer and a sense of movement in the summer light. The sky appears in colourful swirls, the grass a flicker of greens and yellows, and the figures are caught with an easy, economical line. It's a joyful picture of a day at the races, in the French tradition of racing scenes that runs from Degas to Dufy. The artwork is in good overall condition and has been elegantly framed behind museum-quality non-reflective glass. It is signed in the lower left hand: 'Y Fournier'. Please enjoy the many images accompanying this listing. Upon request, a video will be provided.

Dimensions with Frame:

H 40 cm / 15.7"

W 49.5 cm / 19.5"

Dimensions without Frame:

H 27 cm / 10.6"

W 37.2 cm / 14.6"

About the artist: Yves Fournier (1917–2016), French figurative painter known particularlyfor his horse-racing scenes and landscapes, and this pastel is a fine example of the racing subjects for which he was noted.