Battle Scene with Armored Figures on Horseback (recto) Two Seated Women (verso)

Degas employed rapid, gestural lines to capture the dynamism of the mounted figures, using simple geometric shapes to indicate posture and motion. The reverse drawing is rendered with lighter, wavering strokes, indicating a provisional study. The lack of shading and the emphasis on contour reflect an early interest in capturing form quickly, prior to the artist’s later, more refined techniques.

The work dates from Degas’s early period, before his mature Impressionist output, and illustrates his experimental approach to drawing. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (specific details of purchase are not recorded in the provided information). The dual-sided nature of the sheet offers insight into Degas’s practice of reusing paper for multiple studies.