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Ecorché study of a horse

John Gibson

1815

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Ecorché study of a horse is a 1815 by John Gibson, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: John Gibson
When & what style?: 1815 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This sketch shows a horse’s body drawn without skin, so you can see the muscles and bones underneath. The lines are loose and quick, like the artist was working fast. The paper looks worn, with some brown spots. The drawing focuses on how the horse’s body moves, especially the back and legs. It’s not polished—just raw lines and shading to show shape and power. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build form with layered lines.

The story of this work

Overview

Two anatomical drawings by John Gibson from 1815 depict écorché studies of a horse, illustrating the animal's musculature and skeletal structure in detail.

Read the full account in the museum source.