Who painted Drawing of a girl on a horse?

Drawing of a girl on a horse was painted by Daniel Maclise in 1825.

Where can I see Drawing of a girl on a horse?

Drawing of a girl on a horse is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Drawing of a girl on a horse?

Drawing of a girl on a horse is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Drawing of a girl on a horse

Daniel Maclise , 1825

Drawing of a girl on a horse is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Daniel Maclise. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Daniel Maclise’s pen‑and‑ink drawing presents a young girl astride a large white horse amid a bleak, storm‑laden setting. Executed on the front side of an envelope, the image is rendered with swift, gestural lines that convey motion and atmosphere. The composition contrasts the bright animal with a muddied, brownish ground, emphasizing the tension between the figure and the surrounding gloom.

Subject & Meaning

The sketch captures a moment of precarious travel, the rider’s loose garments and wind‑tossed hair suggesting vulnerability against the harsh weather. While no explicit narrative accompanies the work, the juxtaposition of a solitary child and an imposing horse within a turbulent landscape may evoke themes of innocence confronting nature’s forces.

Technique & Style

Maclise employed pen and ink, relying heavily on cross‑hatching to build dense shadows and convey the storm’s intensity. The drawing’s rough, rapid execution indicates a spontaneous approach, with layered lines creating depth and a sense of movement. The stark contrast between the white horse and the dark background is achieved through careful modulation of line density.

History & Provenance

The artwork appears on the obverse of an envelope bearing a red penny stamp on the reverse, addressed to 4 Cheyne Walk in Chelsea. This detail situates the piece within a personal correspondence context, suggesting it may have been a private sketch sent or kept by the artist rather than a formal exhibition work.

Artist & collection

Artist

Daniel Maclise

Daniel Maclise (25 January 1806 – 25 April 1870) was an Irish history painter, literary and portrait painter, and illustrator, who worked for most of his life in London, England.