Horse Studies and Tassels 1812 - 1814

Théodore Géricault made this study in graphite on paper; a relatively inexpensive pairing of materials well-suited to swift and improvisatory composition. The artist's subject here is the trappings of military might. He captures the ornate tassels of a uniform, alongside a rearing horse. The graphite allows for shading and suggestion, the textural contrast between the smooth paper and the marks of the graphite, adding depth and volume. The relative cheapness of the medium also implies the preliminary nature of the study, and a workshop environment where multiple ideas were explored. Consider the context. At the time, France was recovering from the Napoleonic Wars, and was ruled by a restored monarchy; a society seeking its identity. Graphite studies like this one, which might seem humble, were in fact vital to Géricault’s production. The artist took cues from both the fine and decorative arts, raising questions about labor, class and artistic hierarchies.