Who painted Monte Cavallo, with the Horse Tamers?

Monte Cavallo, with the Horse Tamers was painted by Jacques-Louis David in 1778.

Where can I see Monte Cavallo, with the Horse Tamers?

Monte Cavallo, with the Horse Tamers is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Monte Cavallo, with the Horse Tamers?

Monte Cavallo, with the Horse Tamers is associated with Neoclassicism.

Artwork

Monte Cavallo, with the Horse Tamers

Jacques-Louis David , 1778

Monte Cavallo, with the Horse Tamers is an ink drawing by the Neoclassicist artist Jacques-Louis David. It dates from 1778 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Monte Cavallo, with the Horse Tamers is a drawing by Jacques-Louis David, executed in 1778 using brown ink, gray wash, and graphite on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a grand scene featuring a large, ornate building on the right and a central statue of a horseman accompanied by another horse. A figure in the foreground provides scale, emphasizing the monumentality of the setting.

Technique & Style

David employed brown ink and gray wash over graphite to achieve depth and texture. The work showcases meticulous attention to detail through intricate linework and shading, characteristic of David's meticulous draftsmanship.

History & Provenance

Created in 1778, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.

Context

The subject, Monte Cavallo, refers to a location in Rome known for its equestrian statues, suggesting the drawing may have been inspired by David's observations during his time in Italy.

Legacy

The drawing demonstrates David's early mastery of rendering architectural and figural grandeur, foreshadowing his influence on Neoclassical art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacques-Louis David

Jacques-Louis David was born in Paris on 30 August 1748 into a bourgeois family; his father died in a duel when the boy was nine, and a maternal uncle guided his education.