Staand paard, naar links 1775 - 1833

Jean Bernard made this red chalk drawing, "Standing Horse, Facing Left," sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The artwork reflects a period where equestrian portraiture and animal studies gained popularity, often intertwined with themes of status and the natural world. Bernard’s choice of a simple, direct pose deviates from the more elaborate, romanticized depictions of horses common in aristocratic art. Instead, Bernard captures the horse in a moment of quietude. This could be understood as a reflection of shifting social values, with a growing appreciation for more naturalistic representations of animals outside the spheres of power. Perhaps Bernard was interested in the individual spirit of the animal. The red chalk lends a warmth to the horse, enhancing the animal's inherent dignity. Consider how the artwork makes you feel, and perhaps, how it challenges conventional equine portrayals.