Artilleryman Saddling His Horse 1879

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created "Artilleryman Saddling His Horse" using oil on cardboard, a cheap alternative to canvas. This choice was very unusual for fine arts. Lautrec worked with diluted paint and quick strokes, leaving the cardboard surface visible. The thin application and unfinished quality influence our perception of the work, giving it an immediacy that canvas might not. Note the horse's solid presence in the foreground against the loosely defined background. The horse is painted with a sort of industrial quality of fast painting and an economy of means. Lautrec's engagement with non-traditional materials and emphasis on visible brushwork elevates what might be considered humble or utilitarian materials to the realm of fine art. This challenges traditional distinctions and highlights the beauty and expressive potential found in unexpected places.