Horse 1836

George Harvey made this unfinished oil painting, called "Horse", sometime during the 19th century. Harvey was a British-American artist who made a name for himself painting landscapes and scenes of American life. This painting gives us a glimpse into a world where the lives of humans and animals were closely intertwined, especially in rural America. The horse here isn't just an animal; it represents labor, companionship, and even status. The painting is unfinished, which creates a sense of intimacy, as though we're catching a glimpse into the artist's studio, and into a moment of connection between human and animal. Harvey captures not just the physical likeness of the horse, but also its spirit, its energy. It's a reminder of the complex relationships between humans and animals, and how these relationships have shaped our history.