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| Since prehistory, horses have been a wild fascination of men and women, on every continent. They have been depicted in every art medium, from cave paintings and petroglyphs to film and sculpture. They have, and continue to evoke, the majesty of primal nature through their exuberance and grace. Provided in this newsletter is an informative summary of artists, who throughout time, have been inspired by these majestic beasts. |
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"Horses of Anahita" (TAL676_38) $420
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American, William Morris Hunt (1824-79) studied in Düsseldorf and France and was influenced by painter J. F. Millet and the Barbizon school, which became his primary style. William Hunt also created artworks based on mythological figures, such as the Persian ruling deity, Anahita. In “Horses of Anahita,” her attendant leads just three of normally, four white horses (representing wind, rain, clouds and hail) away from the rising sun. We see the horses’ exuberance and vitality as they gallop towards night and the cover of darkness.
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Artists throughout the centuries have been intrigued with Greek mythology. Such is the case for this Centaur at left.
In Greek Mythology, centaurs are very strong, typically like wine and women, and were frightful beasts. One exception is the good and considerate Chiron at left who is identified by the cherub on his back. Chiron is skilled in hunting, medicine and music; represents good and wisdom; and teaches humans good-conduct and skills. Zeus credits Chiron with being the wisest and most just of all centaurs and placed him among the stars in the constellation, Sagittarius.
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"Centaur and Cherub"
(4505)
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"The Knights of the Round Table Tapestry" (4213_36)
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Mythological creatures have appeared in other cultures as well. In England during the Arts and Crafts Movement, William Morris (1836-96) was fascinated by the centuries earlier Medieval Period and created “The Knights of the Round Table.” Twenty-four of King Arthur’s bravest Knights are represented by the ‘Symbolic Lion.’ Their shields have been left in the forest since the Knights are on their ‘Quest for the Unicorn!’ This particular unicorn is one of the most elusive and wisest of unicorns; and his beard signifies longevity and excellent survival skills. The Knights will have great difficulty finding and capturing this experienced and exceptionally clever unicorn. |
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CELTIC AND GREEK MINIATURE SCULPTURAL HORSE ICONS
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At Halstatt, Austria, the original of the (below left) “Bronze Celtic Horse” was discovered at a Celtic archeological site dating back to 600 BC. The Horse could have been used as a child’s toy, burial object for a warrior or child, but the most probably usage was as a temple offering. The Celts revered and worshipped horses! And, the cult of Epona (patroness of horses) spread throughout Western Europe. Depictions of horses were placed at the altar.
Celtic artists created both realistic and stylized artworks and traveled throughout Celtic territories. During harsh European winters, artists would create artworks within private family homes as means of trade with the family. Only the most gifted artists-craftsmen were extended the offer of board and keep during the winters.
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"Bronze Celtic Horse"
(4531)
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"Greek Geometric Horse"
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Small, Greek geometric horses were very popular and were created throughout most of the Greek-speaking territories. The exact reason why Greek geometric horses were created is unknown, but one theory is as a temple offering to appease the gods (similar to the Celts and their cult of Epona).
Greek artists transferred their stylized geometric forms from 8th century vase paintings to sculpture. A good example is the (above right) “Greek Geometric Horse.” At first glance, the horse looks quite primitive, but the artwork actually is very sophisticated. The artist has observed and interpreted a horse’s fluid angles and curves, such as thick masses of its mane and strong upper leg muscles which contrasts sharply with the thin face, body, lower legs and exaggerated tail.
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The Greek vase, “Warrior and Horse Geometric Vase,” is an example of a Mid-8th Century BC Combination Style with its geometric border patterns and slightly rounded human and horse figures. |
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"Warrior and Horse
Geometric Vase"
(4248)
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Later during the 8th to early 7th century BC, Figurative Greek vases had elaborate images of stories, legends, battles with humans, animals and gods. All were realistically depicted, usually with perspective.
Besides artists, pottery-making craftsmen made advancements with firing techniques and developed complicated and overlapping glazing techniques. Both, excellent renderings and elaborate glazing techniques, enabled artists to create high quality Greek vases that are still admired today.
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“Parthenon Cloaked Horseman” (TAL217)
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| Ancient Greek artists created other types of artwork, including the Naturalistic Style low-relief “Parthenon Cloaked Horseman” (above). This artwork was part of a series created by one of Greece’s outstanding sculptors, Phidias (or his assistants) for the interior walls of the Parthenon at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Annual Panathenaic Festivals were held in honor of Athena (goddess & warrior). Cloaked Horsemen like this one were part of the elaborate ceremony. |
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EDGAR DEGAS & JAMES EARLE FRASER
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| Some of the most exciting horse artworks have been created when an individual artist interprets what ‘s/he sees’ (usually just for himself) or ‘conveys a powerful emotion’ as the end results. |
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Edgar Degas' "Horse at the Trough" (4532)
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In the early 1860’s, Edgar Degas (1834-1917) created one of his earliest horse sculptures in brown wax with reddish highlights (which created a flesh texture). Later in 1920, a bronze cast was made of this "Horse at Trough". It is now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum (above).
This Degas sculpture is close to Realistic in style and has several very important design elements. There are interesting negative spaces between the legs and lowered head. An overall oval shape is created by the lowered head, upturned ground-plane, stationary tail, curved back, and then back to the lowered head. The artist’s tool marks etched into the original wax are still evident on the horse, especially on its mane. The horse’s expression of hesitancy or carefulness is shown by its laid back ears. But, the real question is – how is the weight distributed? The original wax model has an armature from ground through horse. Since the later versions are made from a stronger material - bronze or bonded bronze, no armature is needed. Still, there is visual tension created on the horse’s front right leg.
Degas’ was born into extreme wealth and did not need to work. He chose to be an artist. Today, he is admired for his extraordinary and everlasting contributions to Realism (Academic), and especially for his Impressionism & Post-Impressionism works.
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| An example of an artwork which symbolizes a powerful emotion is James Earle Fraser’s (1876-1953) "The End of the Trail" (right). The piece was commissioned by the San Francisco Exposition in 1915. Fraser also designed the American Buffalo Nickel. |
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Fraser's "End of the Trail"
(TAL275)
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As a child during 1880-88, Fraser lived in the Dakota Territory where he heard Indian stories about how they would be driven out. But, Fraser’s primary inspiration for the artwork above was from a poem by Marian Manville Pope which contained ‘lost trails, hidden paths and lost peoples.’ After the piece was completed, Fraser wanted the statue placed on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The American Indian had been pushed to the edge of the continent and was at ‘The End of the Trail.’
The artwork evokes powerful emotions from a viewer, because the artist convey the subject's total defeat by mirroring the rider's pose in the horse's drooping stance. Furthermore, the rider appears exhausted and his horse is starving. Their entire way-of-life has been destroyed; they are at their end.
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“Florentine Horse Bust" (4533)
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The Horse has been an important companion for Man throughout the centuries and has been an integral part of man’s development from prehistoric times (food) to today (leisure activities).
Artistic portrayals and creations have covered a wide spectrum, including mythological, religious, story-telling, decorative, famous horses and events, warriors and battles, etc.; all of which have been past and present sources of artistic inspiration.
As to the future, we look forward to artistic Majestic Horse interpretations by some of the World’s most creative and innovative artists!
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