120

Adolphe Mouron Cassandre

1901-1968

Sweepstake / Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. 1935.

Condition B: repaired tears, replaced losses, creases and overpainting in margins and image and along vertical and horizontal folds; repaired pin holes in corners; backed on non-archival linen.

"The drama and excitement of a photo finish are stirringly depicted by the concentrated and overlapping form of two jockeys and horses crossing a finish line. By flattening and combining the two jockeys, so that their silks are joined together, that the riding boots of one jockey are placed directly behind those of the other, and that the color of one horse switches from brown to black, Cassandre evokes the feeling of blurred, blinding speed that is always associated with the neck-and-neck battle of a stretch run" (Brown & Reinhold, p. 18). "Even the gradient of the title 'Sweepstake' contributes to the idea of movement" (Weill / Cassandre p. 96).

Inaugurated in 1935, the sweepstake tied to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was a lottery in which the public bought tickets and prizes were awarded based on a combination of the random draw and the race outcome (winners or placed horses boosting ticket value). It served to raise public funds to contribute to the race's prize pool, helping increase its stature and attract international competitors. It has become one of Europe's richest flat horse races.

This is the middle of three formats. Rare. We could locate only 2 other copies in this size at auction in the last 25 years.

Mouron pl. 54, Reinhold & Brown 50, Weill / Cassandre p. 97, Suntory 30.
46½x31 inches, 118x78¾ cm. Alliance Graphique, L. Danel, Lille.

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May 21, 2026 12:00 PM EDT
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