Artwork
Frieze with Three Horsemen
Frieze with Three Horsemen is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
Its provenance thus traces from its execution in the early 16th century to Lehman's ownership and its eventual placement in the museum.
The work titled Frieze with Three Horsemen is a 1530 painting attributed to a follower of Polidoro da Caravaggio, conceived as a decorative frieze depicting three horsemen in an equestrian scene. It measures 17.4 cm by 27.1 cm. The painting entered the Robert Lehman Collection and passed with it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in 1975, where it is inventoried under accession number 1975.1.120. Its provenance thus traces from its execution in the early 16th century to Lehman's ownership and its eventual placement in the museum.
Overview
This drawing, titled Frieze with Three Horsemen, depicts a dynamic scene of three mounted figures. The composition emphasizes motion, with the riders and their powerful horses appearing to move swiftly across the pictorial space. The artist employed a rapid, gestural approach to capture the energy of the scene, suggesting a moment of intense activity.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork portrays three horsemen, closely grouped and in full stride. Their mounts are depicted as robust and muscular, with manes and tails streaming, reinforcing the sense of speed. The riders are clad in flowing garments and plumed helmets, one brandishing a spear, which implies a narrative of pursuit, battle, or a ceremonial procession. The tight formation suggests unity and purpose.
Technique & Style
The artist utilized quick, expressive lines to convey the vigor and momentum of the figures. This sketchy technique imbues the drawing with a sense of immediacy and raw energy. The rendering of the horses' musculature and the riders' postures contributes to the overall dynamism, making the scene feel alive and in motion despite its two-dimensional nature. This approach prioritizes action over detailed finish.
Artist & collection
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