Study for one of the 'Chevaux de Marly' 1735 - 1745

Guillaume Coustou the Elder made this drawing, a study for one of the ‘Chevaux de Marly’, using graphite on paper. The sculpture for which this is a study was commissioned in 1739 by Louis XV for the park at his Château de Marly. It depicts a groom struggling to restrain a rearing horse. These weren't just any sculptures; they were potent symbols of royal power and control, intended to project an image of absolute authority. Made in France during a time of strict social hierarchy, the sculptures glorified the monarchy and the aristocracy. The choice of subject matter, the classical style, and the placement of the sculptures in a royal park all reinforced the idea of the king as a divinely ordained ruler. To fully understand this drawing, we can look at the history of royal patronage, the social function of art in the 18th century, and the political uses of imagery. Art historians uncover this social context, helping us to understand the complex relationship between art and power.