Artwork
Before the Race
Before the Race is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
“Before the Race,” executed between 1882 and 1884, is an oil painting by Edgar Degas. The work belongs to the Impressionist movement and depicts a moment of anticipation among horses and their handlers just prior to a race.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures the quiet tension that precedes a horse‑race, focusing on the animals, jockeys, and stable staff as they prepare. Degas emphasizes the collective pause, suggesting both the physical readiness of the horses and the psychological anticipation of the event.
Technique & Style
Degas employs loose brushwork and a muted palette typical of his later Impressionist phase, using oil to render the sheen of the horses’ coats and the subtle play of light on the surrounding environment. The painting balances detailed observation with atmospheric effects.
History & Provenance
Degas began exploring equestrian subjects in the 1860s, a fascination that continued throughout his career. “Before the Race” was created during a prolific period when he refined his approach to motion and the human‑animal relationship in sport.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas on 19 July 1834 in Paris, Edgar Degas came from an affluent banking family with aristocratic roots and spent his childhood among the cultivated circles of the French capital.
