Racehorses (study for "Scene from the Steeplechase: The Fallen Jockey") c. 1881

Edgar Degas's "Racehorses" is a charcoal drawing created around 1881, capturing a dynamic moment in a horse race. The study depicts the chaotic energy of the event, with horses in motion, their forms rendered with a loose, gestural style. The artist's characteristic use of foreshortening emphasizes the rapid movement and emphasizes the anatomical structure of the horses, creating a powerful sense of dynamism. "Racehorses" is considered a preparatory study for Degas's larger painting, "Scene from the Steeplechase: The Fallen Jockey", which would be completed in 1884. Degas is known for his portrayal of the "modern" world, and he often depicted the world of racing and ballet in his artwork.