Woman on Horseback (Equestrienne) c. 1917 - 1931

Gaston Lachaise made this bronze sculpture of a nude woman on horseback sometime in the early 20th century. The image combines classical equestrian statue traditions with the early modern fascination for female nudes, resulting in a complex commentary on the politics of representation and the male gaze in art history. In early 20th-century America, Lachaise, as part of the artistic avant-garde, was challenging academic and social norms with his sensual portrayals of the female form. His work was made in an institutional context dominated by male artists, curators, and collectors, which traditionally objectified women. By depicting the female figure as powerful, confident, and in control of the horse, Lachaise's sculpture potentially critiqued these power dynamics within the art world and society. The historian's role is to understand the complex social and institutional contexts that shaped the creation and reception of art. By studying the history of art institutions, gender studies, and cultural history, we can gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted meanings embedded in artworks such as "Woman on Horseback."