Cheval Flamands 1822

Théodore Géricault’s "Cheval Flamands", at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, captures two Flemish horses in lithograph. The composition centres on contrasts: light and shadow, mass and space. Géricault uses lithography to explore tonal gradations, creating depth and texture. The dark tree and foreground anchor the scene, while the lighter sky suggests infinite space. The horses, rendered with careful attention to musculature, embody a raw, vital energy. Their forms intertwine, yet each retains a distinct presence, a duality that mirrors the broader interplay of nature and culture. Géricault, influenced by the Romantic movement, presents nature not as idyllic but powerful. The rough texture, achieved through lithography, challenges the clean lines of Neoclassicism, embracing a more visceral mode of expression. Ultimately, "Cheval Flamands" is not merely a depiction of horses, but an exploration into the aesthetic potential of the lithographic medium. Its form destabilizes established artistic values, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between representation and material expression.