Who painted Postal Horses?

Postal Horses was painted by Horace Vernet in 1823.

Where can I see Postal Horses?

Postal Horses is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Postal Horses?

Postal Horses is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Postal Horses

Horace Vernet , 1823

Postal Horses is a print by the Romanticist artist Horace Vernet. It dates from 1823 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

The artist used quick brushstrokes to make the horses look like they’re really moving.

This painting shows horses galloping with mailbags tied to their sides. The scene feels urgent, like the mail must reach its destination fast. The artist used quick brushstrokes to make the horses look like they’re really moving.

Vernet painted this in 1823, when postal systems were expanding across France. The horses look strong but tired, hinting at long journeys.

If you like this, check out Théodore Géricault’s work.

Overview

Horace Vernet's 1823 print 'Postal Horses' depicts galloping horses carrying mailbags, conveying a sense of urgency and movement.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures the dynamism of postal horses in transit, their strength and fatigue hinting at the demands of long-distance mail delivery.

Technique & Style

Vernet employed rapid brushstrokes to convey the horses' motion, creating a vivid impression of energy and speed.

Context

Created during a period of postal system expansion in France, the work reflects the growing importance of mail transportation in the early 19th century.

Legacy

Vernet's equestrian subject matter is reminiscent of other artists of the time, such as Théodore Géricault, who also explored dynamic and emotive equine themes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Horace Vernet

Émile Jean-Horace Vernet (French pronunciation: ; 30 June 1789 – 17 January 1863), better known as Horace Vernet, was a French painter of battles, portraits, and Orientalist subjects.