Centaur was painted by Unknown in 1866.

Where can I see Centaur?

Centaur is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Centaur?

Centaur is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Centaur

Unknown , 1866

Centaur is a photography by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

This photo shows a half-human, half-horse figure lying down. The skin tones are soft and warm, with a light greenish background. The face is relaxed, almost smiling, while the horse half has a thick, curly mane.

The image blends human and animal traits in a dreamy way. It’s not a painting but a photo, made in 1866.

Check out sfumato next—it’s a technique that softens edges like this.

Overview

Centaur is a photographic work produced in 1866 by the artist recorded as 1225_person. The image is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and presents a singular hybrid figure that merges human and equine forms.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows a reclining creature whose upper half is human, with a calm, slightly smiling expression, while the lower half is that of a horse, complete with a thick, curly mane. The juxtaposition of the two anatomies creates a contemplative, almost mythic presence.

Technique & Style

Executed as a photograph rather than a painting, the image employs a soft focus that renders the skin tones in warm, muted hues against a light greenish backdrop. The gentle gradation of tones gives the figure a dreamlike quality, reminiscent of the sfumato approach to edge softening.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑nineteenth century, the work has remained in institutional care, currently residing in the Museum of Ethnography. Its provenance traces directly to the artist’s output of 1866, with no recorded changes in ownership.