"Two Galloping Horses" (and verso: "Study of an Arm" (fragment)) (Primary Title)
Théodore Géricault, French, 1791 - 1824 (Artist)
While Géricault trained in part under the acclaimed equestrian artist Carle Vernet and the neoclassical painter Pierre-Narcisse Guérin, he was essentially self-taught, and only came to maturity while effectively in exile in Rome after his illicit love affair with his aunt. There his encounters with ancient art and works by Michelangelo and Caravaggio made a deep impression on him. Three of these four leaves from a small sketchbook (which he must have kept handy for observing modern Roman life on the spot) depict the race of the riderless Barberi horses down the Corso, a popular annual event held during Carnival. The fourth wash drawing, depicting horses racing freely in nature, is certainly imaginary - as indicated by their generic anatomy and the cursory landscape.
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon
"The French Horse from Géricault to Picasso: Works from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts", The National Sporting Library & Museum, May 6 - July 31, 2016
"The French Horse from Géricault to Picasso: Works from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts", University of Richmond, March 3 - April 25, 2016
"The French Horse from Géricault to Picasso: Works from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts", University of Richmond, March 3 - April 25, 2016
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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