Artwork
Horse bound to a post
Horse bound to a post is a print by Dirk Stoop. It dates from 1659 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created around 1659 by Dutch printmaker Dirck Stoop, this work portrays a horse tethered to a post with a dog lying nearby.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1659 by Dutch printmaker Dirck Stoop, this work portrays a horse tethered to a post with a dog lying nearby. The composition is modest in scale and focuses on the quiet interaction between the two animals, set against a subdued background that emphasizes their forms.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a dark-coated horse, its head turned slightly toward the viewer, suggesting a moment of patient waiting. A dog rests on the ground, its calm posture reinforcing a sense of tranquility. The scene may reflect everyday rural life, highlighting the bond between animal and caretaker.
Technique & Style
Stoop employs chiaroscuro to model the horse’s musculature, using deep shadows and subtle highlights on the back and legs to convey volume. The contrast between light and dark creates depth, while the restrained palette and simplified setting focus attention on the subjects rather than decorative detail.
History & Provenance
The print is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it has been displayed as an example of mid‑17th‑century Dutch animal genre work. Its attribution to Stoop is based on stylistic analysis and the dating aligns with his active period in the Netherlands.
Artist & collection
Artist
Dirk Stoop (c. 1618–1686) was a widely travelled painter and engraver of the Dutch Golden Age. Alternative versions of his name include Dirck Stoff, Theodorus (van der) Stoop, Thierry (the French version) and…
