Horse's Head
Original title: Horse's head
kurzbeschreibung
A horse's head with a halter in profile appears on this sheet by Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio), dated between 1500 and 1550. It was executed with brush in brown, red, green and yellow washes and white gouache over a drawing in black chalk.
Description
The horse's head, facing right, fills the sheet, with the halter sitting prominently through a fitting of red and white areas. Brown, red, green and yellow tones model surfaces and shadows, while the black chalk underneath holds the outlines and internal structures. A restrained dark ground surrounds the motif and makes it stand out clearly.
Context
The sheet is attributed to Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio); it was probably made in the early 16th century, when animal studies for various projects arose in workshop practice. Such studies often served as models for paintings or frescoes featuring horses. The date range 1500–1550 leaves open whether the sheet might also come from a pupil or follower.
Impact
Fine color gradations and confidently placed lines give the head a lively, lifelike quality. Because the ground remains dark, the eye is drawn entirely to the details of the head, creating a calm, collected impression.
Technique
Brush and ink were used here with brown, red, green and yellow washes and white gouache. The colors were applied over an underdrawing in black chalk that established the basic form of the head. This allowed subtle gradations between light and shadow.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)