-Prancing Horse on Pebbled Base- still bank c. 1910

This still bank, "Prancing Horse on Pebbled Base," resides at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, crafted by an anonymous artist using metal. It's not aiming for photorealism, instead, the artist plays with form, capturing the essence of a horse rearing up. I love the way the light glances off the curves of the horse's body, giving it a vibrant, almost restless energy. The pebbled base, so tactile and coarse in contrast, adds a grounding element. There's a beautiful tension here between the smooth, idealized form of the horse and the rough texture of the base. It's kind of like how we hold onto our dreams even when life feels a bit like walking on rocks. You could maybe compare this to some of the work of Gaston Lachaise, who also explored simplified, sensual forms in his sculptures. This piece, though, feels more intimate, like a little treasure holding onto our hopes and pocket change.