Cleveland Museum of Art

Saddled Arabian Horse in Courtyard

Carle Vernet

Date

1820

Medium

pen and brown ink, brown wash, with gray wash, over black chalk or crayon, heightened with white gouache and white chalk

Culture

France, 19th century

Department

Drawings

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

While his father, Joseph, was known for marine paintings, and his son, Horace, became a celebrated Romantic artist, Carle Vernet excelled in representing battles and animals, especially horses. Vernet was an expert rider himself, and in his pictures he precisely described various breeds and horse dressings. Although the artist never traveled further from France than Italy, his drawing of an Arabian horse contains elements that make it seem as if he observed the animal in its native environment. He documented the unique saddle and included exotic architecture in the background and palm trees at the right. Vernet was able to study exotic breeds and costumes in Paris, both in the military corps and at the horse races.

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