Defiance, a Brood Mare, with Reveller, a Foal 1833

Curator: Here we have John Ferneley’s painting, "Defiance, a Brood Mare, with Reveller, a Foal," currently residing at the Tate. The support measures 712 by 940 mm. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the composition; the mare dominates the foreground, almost asserting her presence over the landscape itself. There’s a clear hierarchy being presented. Curator: Indeed. Ferneley was known for his equine portraits, often commissioned by wealthy landowners. The level of detail he achieves in the musculature and coat of the mare speaks to the care and resources dedicated to breeding these animals. It’s a display of status, really. Editor: Exactly. This image goes beyond just documenting horses. It hints at the social stratification of the time, portraying the elite's investment in animal bloodlines as a reflection of their own lineage and power structures. The dark barn behind her and the foal seems almost like a shadowy acknowledgement of labor, of where that bloodline is produced. Curator: A compelling point, given the historical context of land ownership and agricultural labor in England at the time. The act of portraying these horses as symbols of defiance, or "revelry," perhaps speaks to the tensions inherent in this social order. Editor: Yes, a fascinating interplay. This painting offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between humans, animals, and the social hierarchies they represent. Curator: It reveals how the meticulous portrayal of material wealth and labor underpins the art itself.