Fighting Horses 1808

James Ward made these Fighting Horses using oil paint sometime during his career, which spanned from the late 1700s to the mid-1800s. Oil paint is an interesting medium. It’s made by binding pigments with oil, typically linseed, walnut, or poppy seed. Look closely, and you will see how the material properties of oil paint – its viscosity, its drying time, the way it can be layered – have been marshaled to create this dramatic scene. The horses are vividly alive, rendered through the artist’s skilled manipulation of the medium, with thick impasto and dynamic brushwork suggesting tension and raw power. Ward’s technique highlights his mastery, but also directs our attention to the labor involved. The mixing, layering, and blending of the paint are crucial to achieving the lifelike effect of the animals. By focusing on the materiality of the paint and the process of its application, Ward elevates what could have been mere illustration into something more profound. It's a testament to the enduring power of skilled handwork.