Man Leading a Horse (recto); Study of a Man (verso) 1910

Umberto Boccioni sketched "Man Leading a Horse" with graphite on paper, capturing the industrial and social fervor of early 20th-century Italy. Boccioni was a leading theorist of Futurism, an Italian movement that sought to capture the dynamism of modern life by representing movement and speed. This sketch reflects Futurist ideals, with the bodies of both man and horse appearing almost as one, their forms broken down and seemingly in motion. One might consider how this work engages with traditional equestrian depictions, but here, there is an emphasis on the energy of the figures rather than idealised form. It's compelling to consider how Boccioni, who was influenced by the political ideologies of his time, saw the human figure in relation to the animal, especially in the context of Italian society which was rapidly modernizing. The raw energy captured in this simple sketch invites us to reflect on the relationship between humanity, nature, and the relentless pace of progress.