Before the Race c. 1887 - 1889

Edgar Degas’ painting 'Before the Race' is made with pastel on paper. Pastels are interesting because they sit halfway between drawing and painting. Degas progressively built up layer upon layer of dry pigment, fixing them with steam. This gives the surface its distinctive character, a combination of velvety bloom and fragile delicacy. The image is all about wealth and leisure. Horse racing in 19th century France was a pursuit of the aristocracy and the emerging upper-middle class. Look at how Degas has rendered the jockeys’ colorful silks, the sleek flanks of the horses, and the verdant landscape. It seems spontaneous, but the layering of the pastel reveals the considerable work involved. It takes time, care, and control to produce the overall sense of immediacy. Thinking about materials and making helps us to appreciate that 'Before the Race' is not just a snapshot. It’s a carefully constructed image, speaking volumes about class, labor, and the leisurely pursuits of the wealthy.