Artwork
Horse and donkey
Horse and donkey is an oil painting by James Ward. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
James Ward’s oil painting titled “Horse and Donkey” presents a white horse and a brown donkey positioned closely together, the horse’s head lowered to nuzzle the donkey’s neck. Behind them a storm‑filled sky looms, its dark clouds adding a dramatic backdrop to the intimate animal encounter.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of gentle interaction between two domesticated animals, contrasting the horse’s sleek white coat with the donkey’s earthy brown. The juxtaposition of their calm contact against a turbulent sky suggests a theme of companionship persisting amid external turmoil, a motif common in Ward’s animal studies.
Technique & Style
Ward applied oil paint swiftly and heavily, employing impasto to render the texture of fur and musculature. His brushwork is vigorous, emphasizing the physical presence of the animals rather than fine detail, aligning the piece with the emotive, bold aesthetic of early‑19th‑century Romantic painting.
History & Provenance
James Ward (1769–1859), renowned in his time as England’s leading animal painter, produced this work during a period when he frequently depicted horses, dogs, and wild beasts in heightened emotional states. The painting is part of the collection that includes other Ward animal works, several of which are held by the Victoria and Albert Museum.
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