The Small War Horse 1505

Albrecht Durer made this engraving, *The Small War Horse*, in 1505, by cutting lines into a copper plate. The plate would then have been inked and printed, making it possible to disseminate images widely. Here, Durer really shows off his skill, building up tone with many tiny, precise marks. See how he captures the animal's musculature, and the play of light across its body. But Durer wasn’t only demonstrating technique; he was also participating in the culture of his time. The horse was a central figure in Renaissance art and society, signifying power and status. By rendering the animal in such detail, Durer elevated it to a subject worthy of artistic attention. The print medium also allowed him to participate in a burgeoning art market, where such images were increasingly collected and traded. Ultimately, *The Small War Horse* shows how closely materials, the making process, and social context are intertwined. It’s not just about the image, but the means by which it came into being.