Artwork
Watering the horses
Watering the horses is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist August Querfurt. It dates from 1737 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1737, *Watering the Horses* is an oil painting by Austrian artist August Querquer. Executed during the Rococo period, the work portrays a brief pause in a cavalry routine, with two horses—one light‑colored, the other brown—being attended by figures in period dress. The scene unfolds against a muted sky, distant hills and scattered trees, rendered with a naturalistic eye.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a moment of care for working animals, emphasizing the relationship between riders and their mounts. By focusing on the act of watering, Querquer highlights the everyday necessities of military life, rather than glorifying battle. The presence of multiple attendants suggests a structured, communal effort typical of 18th‑century cavalry camps.
Technique & Style
Querquer employs a realistic approach characteristic of his training, using fine brushwork to delineate the horses’ musculature and the textures of clothing. The palette is restrained, dominated by earthy tones and a cloudy sky that softens the scene. Light falls gently across the figures, creating subtle contrasts that enhance the three‑dimensionality of the subjects.
History & Provenance
August Querquer, initially instructed by his father before studying with the German painter Rugendas, produced this work early in his career. The painting entered the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, where it remains on display, representing an example of the artist’s focus on military and animal themes.
Context
Querquer’s interest in cavalry and hunting scenes aligns him with Dutch painters such as Philips Wouwerman and Jan van der Meulen, whose influence is evident in the arrangement of figures and the dynamic yet orderly depiction of horses. The work reflects the broader Rococo fascination with movement, leisure, and the picturesque aspects of everyday life.
Artist & collection
Artist
August Querfurt (1696, Wolfenbüttel – 1761, Vienna) was an Austrian painter. He painted primarily soldiers and battle scenes. He was first instructed by his father, Tobias Querfurt, a landscape and animal painter, and…
