Before the Performance by Edgar Degas offers an intimate glimpse into the moments leading up to a ballet performance. The dancers are shown in various stages of preparation, adjusting their costumes and practicing their movements. Degas's use of soft pastels and fluid lines captures the grace and poise of the dancers, as well as the nervous energy before they take the stage. The muted tones and attention to detail reflect Degas's deep connection to the world of ballet and his fascination with the behind-the-scenes reality of the dancers’ lives.