France, 19th century / c. 1887–89
Before the Race
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Before the Race as drawing (France, 19th century · c. 1887–89).
When creating the series to which this pastel belongs, Edgar Degas was inspired by the 19th-century photographer Eadweard Muybridge, who attempted to record motion in static images.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this drawing as pastel with charcoal underdrawing on tracing paper mounted on cardboard and credits Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917).
The museum's collection notes: Degas returned to the theme of horse and rider time and again throughout his career. Scholars believe that he executed the first version of this composition of four jockeys on horseback in a charcoal and pastel drawing. Several years later, he traced the composition, reversing its orientation to create the highly finished Cleveland pastel. The palette is intensified, the distance between the second and third jockeys is increased, and the foliage along the horizon has been added to suggest a lush spring day.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtBefore the RaceOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.