Jockeys before the Start with Flagpoll

Edgar Degas captured jockeys preparing at the starting post, their horses restless before the race begins. A flagpole marks the starting line as riders in colorful silks position their mounts. Degas's informal composition suggests a snapshot of the tense pre-race moment.

This work exemplifies Degas's fascination with modern sport and his ability to capture anticipatory energy. His racing scenes influenced later artists' approaches to movement and modern leisure. Now at the Art Institute of Chicago.