Cheval au trot 1823

Théodore Géricault made this lithograph, Cheval au trot, at an unknown date. Géricault came of age during the upheavals of post-revolutionary France. His Romantic sensibility led him away from Neoclassical precision into studies of movement, color, and emotion. Horses were a life-long passion for Géricault, and his depictions of them go beyond mere representations. They delve into the animal's spirit and energy. During this period, horses were potent symbols of power, war, and aristocracy. Yet, Géricault often focused on the animal's physical strain and emotional intensity. The print captures a horse in motion; its muscles flex and strain. There's a raw, untamed quality to the animal that feels incredibly alive. It evokes an emotional response, as if we're witnessing a fleeting moment of beauty and strength. Géricault's portrayal encourages us to consider our relationship with the natural world. It makes us think about the cultural meanings we attach to animals, while inviting us to appreciate their intrinsic beauty.