Studies of a Pony 

Curator: William Strutt's Studies of a Pony presents a fascinating look into the artist's process. Composed with pencil on paper, it is an example of a preliminary drawing where the artist attempts to capture the form and movement of the animal. Editor: It's funny, isn’t it? It feels so immediate, like a snapshot, but in reality, this is distilled observation and countless hours dedicated to mastering his craft. I sense a very tender feeling towards the young horse in the confident and sensitive marks. Curator: Absolutely, you notice the way Strutt uses varied line weights and hatching techniques? This suggests he was actively exploring the pony's anatomy, and volume. Animal portraiture during Strutt's time was quite popular and served a particular socio-political purpose in showcasing ownership. This approach served both the needs of patronage as well as helped to visualize changing class and labor roles as new agricultural and transportation technologies grew increasingly common. Editor: It feels more personal here, though, doesn't it? The repetition, the studies...It is like a poem in draft. I’m drawn to the gentleness, like he wants to immortalize the simple beauty of this animal and maybe hint at his inner emotional life as well. Curator: A poignant perspective. It underscores how sketches offer an unvarnished glimpse into the artist's working methods as well as the aesthetic tastes of their day, often becoming insightful time capsules over subsequent years of display and study. Editor: Agreed! Each time, looking becomes its own kind of collaboration through which a piece gains new energy, insight and appreciation.