We think it’s safe to say that whether you’re an art connoisseur or not, you’ve come across horse art at least once in your life. When we talk about horse art, we delve deep into the history of equine arts that take us a trip down memory lane. Horses have always been majestic, and their photographs help us encapsulate picturesque landscapes, royal estates, battlefields, and the intimate connection between man and animal.
A Brief History of Horse Art
Photographers and artists all around the globe have found their interest in a steed and do their best to portray them as gloriously as possible. Horse art shows a long-standing visually historical relationship that can be dated back to the world-renowned Lascaux caves that are believed to be 16,000 years old.
But that’s not where it stops!
Even ancient Grecian and Egyptian art show equine elements, and artists of the modern era have studied their anatomy with great care. But one obvious question comes to mind.
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Why Horses?
No matter the culture, the religion, the historical period, the tradition, or the country, horses have found their way in for several centuries. The numerous roles they’ve taken have been represented in several art forms, be it a painting or a photograph:
• Military art shows horses in battles and the cavalry we put on them,
• Horse racing depicts the complexity of their gallop, and
• Art from the American West shows their impressive speed and their muscle structure.
For a long time, they were used by poor men for transportation and labor, while for a separate part of history, they were ridden by wealthy men as a symbol of power and stature. Imminently, they’ve been human’s companions throughout time, and to this day, we continue to admire their nobility, fortitude, and spirit.
Horse Art Today
However, since they aren’t as present in society anymore, horses have become a rare sight in contemporary artwork. Carriages were replaced by cars, tanks replaced cavalry, and even though horse races are still a part of mainstream culture, they’ve been reduced to a mere source of betting and money.
I believe my professional horse photography helps people reminisce the times when these grand creatures were a part of daily life. Whether you’re a businesswoman or a CEO trying to rebuild a company or a student at home studying and looking for inspiration– my photography helps you reconnect with these masterpieces at all times.
Jody Miller is a professional photographer specializing in Horse Photography, Equine Photography, and Equestrian photography. Her work can be viewed online here in her gallery section, and she is also featured at these Arizona Galleries: Van Gogh’s Ear Gallery on Whiskey Row in Prescott, AZ and Coops Coffee House at Talking Rock Ranch. Several images are also available at The Phippen Western Art Museum