The head of white horse 1815

Théodore Géricault rendered "The Head of a White Horse" with oil on canvas, a traditional medium elevated by centuries of fine art practice. But look closely, and you’ll see that Géricault's methods weren't so traditional. Rather than aiming for a smooth, idealized surface, he embraced the materiality of paint. Notice the way the brushstrokes build up the form, particularly in the horse's mane and around the eyes. The texture isn't just descriptive; it’s expressive. In Géricault's time, the horse was a symbol of power, labor, and class. Horses were essential to agriculture, transportation, and warfare. By focusing on the animal's head, Géricault invites us to consider the individual creature within this broader social context. His technique, with its emphasis on the physical act of painting, underscores the labor involved in both art-making and the representation of labor. By acknowledging the role of materials, making, and context, we can appreciate the full depth of Géricault's work, moving beyond conventional notions of fine art to recognize the complex interplay of craft, skill, and social meaning.