Mounted Horsemen [verso] 

James Seymour sketched these mounted horsemen on paper sometime in the first half of the 18th century, using graphite to create these studies. Graphite, essentially carbon, leaves a metallic sheen when rubbed against paper, a readily available and relatively inexpensive material even in Seymour’s time. The quick, light strokes suggest that this work wasn't meant to be a finished piece, but rather a preparatory sketch or a study of form and movement. There is an improvisational quality here, with a fluidity of line that captures the dynamic energy of horse riding. We can sense the hand of the artist moving swiftly across the page, adjusting the posture and anatomy of the figures with each stroke. The paper itself bears the marks of its history. Folds, creases, and perhaps even stains tell a story of use and age. It reminds us that art is not just about the final image, but also about the physical act of making and the materials that artists use to bring their ideas to life. It’s in these quiet details that we find a deeper appreciation for the craft and the context in which it was created, beyond traditional distinctions of high art.