Before the Race

Edgar Degas captured the nervous energy of jockeys preparing for a race in this 1882 work. The scene shows riders on horseback gathered at the starting area, their mounts restless and alert. Degas uses loose brushwork to convey movement and atmosphere, with the horses' muscles tensed in anticipation.

Like many of his racing scenes, this painting focuses on the moments before the action begins. The diagonal composition draws the eye across the canvas. You can see this work at the Cleveland Museum of Art.