Sketches of Draft Horses 1820 - 1821

Curator: Théodore Géricault’s "Sketches of Draft Horses" offers us a glimpse into the artist's study of animal anatomy, a theme central to his broader exploration of power and societal structure. Editor: I love the raw energy, it's as if the horses are barely contained by the page. I almost feel like I could reach out and touch their rumps. Curator: Exactly, Géricault's focus on draft horses, animals of labor, resonates with the socio-economic realities of his time and highlights themes of class and labor within post-revolutionary France. Editor: Yeah, it’s more than just a study of form; it’s like he is trying to capture the weight of their existence, you know? Beautifully sad. Curator: Indeed, the work invites us to examine the roles and representations of animals, particularly within a system that relies on their exploitation, revealing latent power dynamics at play. Editor: Thinking about it that way adds a whole other layer to this deceptively simple sketch. So much to unpack.