Carousel Horse c. 1938

Samuel Fineman drew this 'Carousel Horse' on paper, we don't know exactly when, but it's clearly a study or a plan. I love the way the colors are laid down in thin washes, almost like he's thinking about the horse in layers. Looking closely, the paint has this delicate, almost translucent quality, especially in the dappled markings on the horse’s body. It feels precise but playful, like a memory of a childhood toy. The texture of the paper is visible through the paint, reminding me that even fantasy has to come down to earth at some point. And did you notice those little bursts of blue? Like jewels on the harness, they just pop and give the whole thing a touch of magic. This reminds me of some of Red Grooms' playful sculptures, with their colorful, cartoonish energy. Like Grooms, Fineman seems to embrace a kind of joyful, unpretentious approach to artmaking. This piece celebrates art's ability to spark imagination and evoke a sense of wonder.