Artwork
Study of a horse
Study of a horse is an oil painting by the Realist artist Henryk Rodakowski. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1868, this oil work by Polish painter Henryk Rodakowski depicts a solitary brown horse positioned on a sandy ground. The animal faces to the right, its head turned slightly backward, and a dark, flowing tail extends behind it. The composition is concise, focusing on the animal as the sole subject within a muted, indistinct backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The painting functions as a direct study of equine form, emphasizing the horse’s posture and musculature rather than narrative content. By isolating the creature against a vague horizon, Rodakowski invites close observation of the animal’s anatomy and movement, suggesting an interest in scientific or artistic exploration of the horse as a model.
Technique & Style
Rodakowski employs a loose brushwork that leaves the texture of the paint visible, reinforcing the work’s study-like character. Strong contrasts between illuminated areas on the horse and the surrounding shadowed ground create a chiaroscuro effect, lending depth and a three‑dimensional quality to the figure. The background remains blurred, directing attention to the illuminated form.
History & Provenance
The canvas entered the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, where it remains on display. Its acquisition date is not recorded in the available sources, but the work is recognized as part of the museum’s holdings of 19th‑century Polish art, representing Rodakowski’s oeuvre during his mature period.
Artist & collection
Self-portrait
Aimable-Jean-Jacques Pélissier, Duke of Malakoff, Marshal of France
Self-Portrait at the Easel
Portrait of Maksymilian Rodakowski, artist’s brother
Portrait of artist's aunt, sketch
Portrait of Babetta Singer, artist’s aunt
Portrait of Paweł Rodakowski, artist’s father
Sketches of a mummy and hands – Studies for “Allegory of Science”
