Ecorché: Relief of a Horse (Josephine) c. 1882

Thomas Eakins crafted this relief of a horse, titled "Ecorché: Relief of a Horse (Josephine)," with plaster and paint. The late 19th century was a time of burgeoning scientific exploration. Eakins, deeply committed to realism, would have been interested in accurately depicting anatomy. Notice the exposed musculature of the horse, a style known as écorché, often used in anatomical studies. But why a horse? The animal may represent power, freedom, and the burgeoning industrial age, where horsepower was rapidly changing society. One can ponder the relationship between humans and animals, domination and partnership, which mirrors certain social structures of the time. This sculpture not only exposes the inner workings of the animal form but also invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between nature, science, and societal values.