Hitching Post c. 1938

Albert Ryder’s ‘Hitching Post’ seems to emerge from a subdued palette and looks as if it has been coaxed into existence. I feel an immediate empathy with Ryder who is exploring the subject of a horse, a noble animal which has been reduced to a mere sculpture; a tethering post. There’s something so melancholic about that. The painting's muted tones and textural nuances create a quiet, contemplative atmosphere. The artist's brushstrokes are visible, and I imagine Ryder layering the paint, scraping it back, building up a surface that feels both rugged and refined. The way the light catches the horse's eye, and the subtle gradations in tone, add to the feeling of understated elegance. Ryder is in conversation with other painters. He is part of an ongoing artistic tradition, looking back to the old masters and forging new ground with his unique vision.