Two Riders Leading Horses (Henderson Ledger Artist B) 1862 - 1902

Frank Henderson created "Two Riders Leading Horses" with graphite and colored pencil on paper, sometime between 1879 and 1885. The composition is dominated by a procession of figures moving across the page. Their linear quality and vibrant colours against the stark background creates a striking contrast. Henderson's approach to form simplifies shapes and lines which is reminiscent of ledger art. This was an art form developed by Plains Indian artists who used ledger books from European traders. The horses and riders aren't portrayed with realistic depth or volume, but rather as symbolic representations of movement and status. The flatness of the figures and the minimal background encourage a focus on the surface of the drawing. This echoes a broader modernist interest in the artwork as an object. Henderson destabilizes the traditional illusionistic depth, creating a dynamic interplay between figure and ground. This challenges conventional modes of representation.