Théodore Géricault painted this study of a bay horse from behind using oil on canvas. The earthy, rich tones are laid down with loose brushwork, giving the impression of depth and movement. You can almost feel the weight of the horse and the texture of its coat. Oil paint, ground from pigment and linseed oil, was commercially available, and offered great flexibility. Géricault was able to layer and blend the colors, building up a sense of form and light. Consider the context of this work; horses were essential to nineteenth-century transportation and agriculture. Here, Géricault captures the animal's powerful physique, hinting at the labor it performs. Though a study, it is a complete work, and worthy of our close attention. It reminds us that even seemingly simple subjects can reveal the complex relationship between materials, making, and society. This was a time when industrialization was beginning to transform labor practices, and this painting serves as a reminder of the value and importance of skilled work, whether human or animal.