Born to be wild

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This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.

Primarily paintings, this gallery focuses on art that shows the inner and outer beauty of horses. Each artist shares different knowledge on horses as well as having a different outlook on how they should be portrayed. Some horses are calm and collected while others are full of spirit; but all are 'Born to Be Wild.'

Herd of horses, Fernando Fader, 1907, From the collection of: Colección AMALITA
This stunning artwork by Fernando Fader shows a group of, what could be, wild horses. Fader's painting strokes create more of a rough texture. This particular tactic gives the horses a more realistic look. The fur doesn't look completely shined, but instead is given a weathered look to show age and life out in the wilderness. Fader also does a great job on giving each horse a different personality. The white horse is seen standing tall with curiosity and confidence. While the other four horses seem to be staying together as much as possible. The horse to the right isn't as relaxed as the one to the left of the white horse.
Horses Fighting, after George Stubbs, 1724–1806, British, undated, From the collection of: Yale Center for British Art
George Stubbs' artwork on two horses fighting is incredibly detailed. Stubbs successfully conveys the beauty and grace that horses naturally possess, while showing the power and fierceness that they are capable of. The landscape has great depth, as the painting appears to continue on into the distance. The focus is clearly on the two horses. They both contain more texture and detail than the trees and landscaping that is shown behind.
Horses Coming Out of the Sea, Ferdinand-Victor-Eugène Delacroix, 1860, From the collection of: The Phillips Collection
This particular painting is a great representation of the strength and beauty of a horse. The artist, Ferdinand Delacroix, creates energy through his strokes. The choppiness of each stroke allows the waves to come to life as well as giving the horses a sense of strong movements. The landscaping is minimalistic which gives the rider and horses the main focus of the painting.
The Race of the Riderless Horses, Théodore Géricault, 1817, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Theodore Gericault creates a different outlook on horses with this painting. Each horse is seen being held back by a human. Horses are very much a herd animal and will feed off the energy of other horses when in the herd. This painting shows that energy by causing each human to struggled to tame their wild steed. The chaos of this event is shown by the artists use of colors combined with a contrasting shading technique.
Three Horses in a Stormy Landscape, Charles Towne, 1763–1840, British, 1836, From the collection of: Yale Center for British Art
Completely different than the previous painting, Charles Towne creates a beautiful piece that focuses solely on three horses. He uses depth and movement to give the horses a life like appearance. Towns also uses color to his advantage. The different colors used on the horses separate one from the other, as well as giving them each their own personality.
Horses, Gu Bon-ung, 1906/1953, From the collection of: Korea Data Agency
Gu Bon-Ung's painting leans more towards an abstract representation of wild horses. The colors used are minimal yet distinguishable; although, the artist does use a lighter shade of brown to help show depth and movement in some of the horses. Each horse is seen doing something different than the other. Some look calm while others look a bit spooked or just full of energy.
Horses in a Thunderstorm, Thomas Woodward, 1801–1852, British, 1823, From the collection of: Yale Center for British Art
Thomas Woodward uses movement to show life in his painting. The landscape surrounding the two horses is very limited. The viewer can only see what are supposedly shadows of surrounding trees. The horses also appear to be spooked, due to the fact that they are both looking back yet running in the same direction. Woodward gives expressions to the horses just slightly, but enough to give the viewers a look into what the horses may be thinking.
The "Piebald" Horse, Paulus Potter, about 1650–1654, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
The 'Piebald' Horse is a painting focused primarily on a single horse. Paulus Potter puts a lot of depth and detail into the speckled horse. The creature stands tall with a very relaxed demeanor as it looks out into the distance. The landscaping is slightly detailed with a horse as well as a manor further out.
Horse Frightened by Lightning, Eugène Delacroix, between 1825 and 1829, From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
This next painting is also focused on a single horse; the difference is the energy in which the horse is portraying to the viewer. Eugene Delacroix uses a stormy night to create a sense of fear. The horse is the object within the painting to allow the viewer to experience what that fear might look like. Delacroix also uses movement in the horse and the waves behind to help bring life to his painting. The horse is seen throwing its head as it rears up showing its fear.
Lord Abergavenny's Dark Bay Carriage Horse with a Terrier, Thomas Gooch, 1750–1802, British, 1785, From the collection of: Yale Center for British Art
This painting by Thomas Gooch is a stunning portrait of 'Lord Abergavenny's' horse. Often wealthy families would have an artist paint pictures, like this one, of their pets and family members. The horse in the painting is a carriage horse, which is shown by the great detail of all the gear that the horse is wearing. Gooch uses the right proportions to make his painting as life-like as possible. The horse can be sized by how tall is is compared to the building as well as the dog in the corner.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
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