George Stubbs

Whistlejacket — anatomy of the horse

The painter who understood horses better than anyone before or since. His Anatomy of the Horse — based on eighteen months of dissection — is a scientific masterpiece; Whistlejacket, a life-size stallion against a plain background, is one of the most powerful animal paintings ever made. He elevated animal painting from craft to high art.

Key works

• Whistlejacket~1762— A horse against nothing — pure animal power
  National Gallery, London
• The Anatomy of the Horse1766— 18 months of dissection — science as art
  Text — Royal Academy of Arts, London (original drawings)

Connections

External