Horses in Art

WHISTLEJACKET by George Stubbs

Considered to be the finest work of the famous horse portrait artist George Stubbs. This life size masterpiece was painted in oil in 1762 for the Marquess of Rockingham.

A magnificent rearing horse, an Arabian chestnut stallion against a pale gold background, embodies the unrestrained free spirit of this incredible creature.

Whistlejacket is housed in the National Gallery, London.

THE TOWER OF HORSES by Franz Marc

This enigmatic expressionist work was painted in 1913.
Although the original sketch was on a postcard, the final work was an impressive 200 x 130 oil on canvas.

Four blue horses depicted in a vertical line appearing to form a tower, perhaps an expression of strength and unity, joining together the creatures of earth and the cosmos, or perhaps, a symbol of hope and energy.

Originally exhibited in Berlin, it was considered degenerate art by the Nazis and has been missing since 1937.