Horse Standing on a Mound

1655

Horse Standing on a Mound, 1655. Cornelis Saftleven (Dutch, 1607–1681). Brush and black, brown, yellow, and grey watercolors over graphite and red chalk on antique laid paper; sheet: 14 x 17 cm (5 1/2 x 6 11/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 2019.12 Cornelis Saftleven’s drawing of a horse from the rear is an example of the animal subject matter that was outrageously popular and considered indigenous to the Netherlands in the 17th century. The artist made this drawing for sale, evident by his initials and date at the bottom center of the drawing, and by the drawing’s high degree of finish, combining several different media including yellow watercolor and red chalk. The awkward and nonheroic pose of the horse demonstrates the Dutch taste for everyday scenes and naturalism. This Dutch artist specialized in making natural portraits of horses, dogs, and even cows!