When Edgar Degas first exhibited At the Races: Before the Start in 1888, critics immediately recognized it as a radical vision of modern life. Unlike his earlier ballet scenes, Degas’s fascination with horse racing—then a fashionable Parisian pastime—allowed him to probe the restless energy and uncertainty of the era. The painting captures not the climax of the race, but the tense, suspended moment just before it begins, a choice that set Degas apart from his contemporaries.

This focus on anticipation rather than action became a hallmark of his racing scenes, of which he produced dozens between the 1860s and 1890s. The canvas presents a cluster of jockeys and horses gathered on a grassy field, their bodies twitching with nervous energy. The horses, some obedient, others straining against the bit, mirror the anxiety of their riders, who exchange glances and adjust their seats as they await the starter’s signal. The low, slanting light casts elongated shadows, grounding the scene in a specific hour—perhaps an autumn afternoon at Longchamp, where the Parisian elite would gather.

Unlike Théodore Géricault’s heroic equestrian portraits, Degas’s horses are not idealized: they are living, breathing creatures, unpredictable and restless. The fence and distant trees create a shallow stage, emphasizing the psychological drama over the spectacle. The precise early provenance of At the Races: Before the Start remains unclear, typical for many works by Degas that circulated among private collectors in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. What is certain is that this painting belongs to a pivotal period in Degas’s career, when he was experimenting with daring compositions and new materials—sometimes combining oil, pastel, and even essence on canvas.

Today, the painting is celebrated as a key example of Impressionism’s shift toward scenes of contemporary life and fleeting sensation. Its journey from the artist’s studio to its current home in a major museum underscores the enduring fascination with Degas’s ability to capture the charged instants that define both sport and society.