Who painted Large Horse?

Large Horse was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1505.

Where can I see Large Horse?

Large Horse is held by British Museum.

What movement is Large Horse?

Large Horse is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Large Horse

Albrecht Dürer , 1505

Large Horse is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1505 and is held in the collection of the British Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1505, the print titled Large Horse is an engraving on laid paper by the German artist Albrecht Dürer. The work presents a single horse rendered in profile, its form captured with a high degree of anatomical precision. Though modest in size, the image exemplifies Dürer’s early interest in the study of animal anatomy and his mastery of the print medium.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses exclusively on a horse, shown standing sideways with its musculature subtly outlined beneath the skin. By isolating the animal from any narrative context, Dürer invites the viewer to consider the creature’s physical presence and the artist’s observational skill, reflecting the Renaissance fascination with naturalistic representation and the study of living forms.

Technique & Style

Long, straight strokes convey the broad planes of the body, while short, intersecting lines generate the illusion of shadow and texture.

Executed through copper engraving, the image is built from a network of incised lines that vary in length, direction, and density. Long, straight strokes convey the broad planes of the body, while short, intersecting lines generate the illusion of shadow and texture. The careful modulation of line weight creates a convincing sense of volume and the sheen of the horse’s coat, demonstrating Dürer’s sophisticated handling of chiaroscuro in print.

History & Provenance

Large Horse belongs to Dürer’s early print output, produced shortly after his return to Nuremberg from Italy. The engraving was printed on laid paper, a common support for the period, and circulated among collectors interested in the artist’s anatomical studies. Surviving impressions are held in several European museum collections, attesting to the work’s continued relevance as a document of Dürer’s formative years.