Horse Frightened
Technique: Giclée quality print
Recommended by our customers
More about this artwork
In George Stubbs' painting "Horse Frightened by a Lion," we witness a dramatic natural scene. The canvas captures a moment of high tension as a powerful, muscular white horse rears back in a visible state of alarm. To the left in a shaded undergrowth, a menacing lion lurks, its gaze fixed intently on the horse, adding an impending sense of danger. The horse's expressive eyes and flared nostrils accentuate its fear, while its elegant mane and tail whip through the air, mirroring its agitated state.The background of the painting is relatively calm with soft, rolling hills and a tranquil sky, contrasting sharply with the turmoil at the scene's forefront. The lighting accentuates the central figures—the horse brightly lit to emphasize its reaction, and the lion partially hidden in shadow, enhancing its threatening presence. Stubbs' mastery in animal anatomy and movement is evident in the muscular definition of the horse and the cat-like readiness of the lion.This work not only displays Stubbs' skill as an equine artist but also explores themes of nature's raw, untamed force and the primal instincts of animals when confronted with danger. It’s a striking portrayal of survival and fear in the animal kingdom.
Delivery
Returns
George Stubbs (25 August 1724 – 10 July 1806) was an English painter, best known for his paintings of horses. Self-trained, Stubbs learnt his skills independently from other great artists of the 18th century such as Reynolds and Gainsborough. Stubbs' output includes history paintings, but his greatest skill was in painting animals, perhaps influenced by his love and study of anatomy. His series of paintings on the theme of a lion attacking a horse are early and significant examples of the Romantic movement that emerged in the late 18th century. He enjoyed royal patronage. His painting, Whistlejacket hangs in the National Gallery, London.