---
title: Young Spartans Exercising by Degas
author: National Gallery
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14242/young-spartans-exercising-by-degas/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Young Spartans Exercising by Degas
_Authored by National Gallery_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14242.png)
## Image Caption
A c. 1861 oil on canvas painting, *Young Spartans Exercising*, by [Edgar Degas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edgar_Degas/) (1834-1917), the French impressionist painter. A typical early work of the artist when he was still interested in becoming a historical painter. The frieze-like quality reminds of Neoclassical art. The scene may be interpreted as an athletic [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) between the sexes. The boys seems more confident, the girls rather a mix with one being held back and another lunging towards the males as if in a challenge. Then again, the full original title is revealing: *The Young Spartan Girls Provoking the Boys*. In the centre at a distance, the elders of the community look on. (National Gallery, London)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Gallery, N. (2021, June 14). Young Spartans Exercising by Degas. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Gallery, National. "Young Spartans Exercising by Degas." *World History Encyclopedia*, June 14, 2021. .
### MLA
Gallery, National. "Young Spartans Exercising by Degas." *World History Encyclopedia*, 14 Jun 2021, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Young_Spartans_National_Gallery_NG3860.jpg) by [**National Gallery**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Young_Spartans_National_Gallery_NG3860.jpg). Submitted by [Ibolya Horváth](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/horvath.ibolya/ "User Page: Ibolya Horváth"), published on 14 June 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.