The Races

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The Races1871–1872Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917) This lively scene reflects Edgar Degas’s enduring fascination with modern life and the culture of leisure in nineteenth-century Fr ance. Depicting horses, jockeys, and spectators gathered before the race, Degas captures a moment of anticipation rather than action. His fluid brushwork, asymmetrical composition, and nuanced palette convey both the immediacy of observation and a carefully structured sense of movement. Drawing inspiration from photography and Japanese prints, Degas transforms a fleeting event into a study of rhythm, balance, and atmosphere—hallmarks of his innovative approach to modern realism. *Courtesy of the National Gallery of Art Show more