Studium of Horse Head 1846

Piotr Michałowski made this oil painting of a horse head sometime in the mid-19th century. Looking closely, you can see the vigorous brushwork—thick strokes of paint layered to create a sense of texture and volume. Michałowski uses traditional oil paints, but his method of application gives the work a unique, almost sculptural quality. You can see the artist's hand in every stroke, building up the form of the horse’s head with confident, expressive gestures. This isn't just a picture of a horse, it's an encounter with the artist's process. Michałowski was deeply engaged with the Romantic movement, which emphasized emotion, individualism, and the power of nature. His choice of subject matter—the noble horse—reflects these values. The horse was a powerful symbol of freedom, energy, and untamed spirit. But at the same time, it was an animal bound to service. By focusing on the way Michałowski worked with his materials, we see that his art-making was very much about the relationship between the artist, the subject, and the physical act of painting itself. It shows that process matters just as much as the finished product.