The Subject

An artist wanting to make a highly finished sculpture or oil painting usually makes many studies to prepare for it. Since the Renaissance artists in the West have set out with pencil and paper, and often watercolour too, to find the originals of the subjects they wished to paint. A quick sketch with pencil or brush can capture the mood of a moment. The horse here is spirited and restless, pawing the ground and neighing. This watercolour came to the Herbert with another drawing of the same size. This consists of three watercolour studies on the one sheet - two human heads and a detail of a horse.

This present watercolour is not just a study from life, though. It is filled with the spirit of Romanticism. Romanticism rejected the idea of an ordered world and saw man as a hero, brave, full of emotion and vision and but ultimately without hope. The frightened horse was a central image in this movement, suggesting mankind's own emotional nature.

Donated by Mrs. E. Deerr, 1943

The Artist

Landseer sculpted the lions in Trafalgar Square, London. He was the most celebrated animal artist of his time.

A child prodigy, Landseer began to study animal anatomy at the Royal Academy's school from 1814 and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1815.

He shared a love of Scotland with Queen Victoria, and was her favourite artist. His 'Queen Victoria on Horseback' is in the Royal Collection.

In later life his outlook on life was bleak. Some of his works unflinchingly depict terrible things. His 'Cat's Paw' shows a monkey drawing a cat's paw across a hot stove to seize roasted chestnuts. He celebrated man's struggle against implacable nature in his view of a ship crushed in the ice.

Works by the artist

Though not signed, these works were said to be by Landseer when they were given. There are a few similar sketches by him elsewhere. Watercolour was not his favourite medium, and more of his sketches are in pencil or oil paint.

The Herbert also has a major oil painting by Landseer. This is his 'Lady Godiva's Prayer'.