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The Pissing Horse

Nicolaas Verkolje

1710

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque 18th Century Interior

Dominant colour

The Pissing Horse is a 1710 ink by Nicolaas Verkolje, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Nicolaas Verkolje
When & what style?: 1710 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This print shows two horses in a dim, shadowy space. One is standing, its head turned slightly, while the other is lifting its leg like it’s going to the bathroom. The background is dark and blurry, with just a hint of something vague behind them. The artist used a printing method called mezzotint, which creates those soft, grainy tones. The horses look real but a little silly, especially with that one mid-motion. Want to see more like this? Check out the National Gallery of Art, Washington.