The Horse in Art John Baskett

"The horse is an archetypal symbol which will always find ways to stir up deep and moving ancestral memories in every human being." So wrote Paul Mellon, one of the most accomplished and admired collectors of equestrian art. Indeed, among the earliest records of image-making, the ancient cave paintings at Lascaux, France, are visible manifestations of this enduring fascination. With examples from 10,000 B.C. to today, "The Horse in Art" shows how in sketches and statues, watercolours and oils, artists have continually immortalized these creatures as images of freedom, strength, and nobility. This magnificent new edition of the long out-of-print gem brings artistic representation of the horse to life again, with additional illustrations, a new chapter on the twentieth century, and the addition of biographies of the artists featured in the book - a distinguished company including Michelangelo, Titian, Blake, Degas, and Picasso. From the mythic horses of the Parthenon frieze to the grand canvases of George Stubbs, from Albrecht Durer's exquisite woodcuts to Jacques-Louis David's iconic Bonaparte Crossing the Alps, and from ancient Chinese bronzes to a recent sculpture by Anthony Caro, John Baskett has brought together images of horses of all types - racehorses, war-horses, wild Arabian steeds, and humble packhorses. With beautiful colour reproductions and an accessible text, this book is a unique and indispensable guide to the changing cultural perspectives, artistic styles, and symbolic interpretations associated with its timeless and much loved subject.

John Baskett was the first curator of the Paul Mellon art collection and assisted Mr. Mellon in writing his autobiography, Reflections in a Silver Spoon (1992). The Horse in Art was first published in 1980 (New York Graphic Society).