Who painted The Pissing Horse?

The Pissing Horse was painted by Nicolaas Verkolje.

Where can I see The Pissing Horse?

The Pissing Horse is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Pissing Horse?

The Pissing Horse is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of The Pissing Horse?

Museum-quality prints of The Pissing Horse are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Pissing Horse

Nicolaas Verkolje

The Pissing Horse is an ink print by the Baroque artist Nicolaas Verkolje. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Nicolaas Verkolje’s 1710 mezzotint, titled *The Pissing Horse*, presents a nocturnal scene in which two equine figures occupy a dimly lit space. One animal stands alert, its head turned slightly, while the companion raises a foreleg in a gesture suggestive of urination. The composition is set against an indistinct, shadowy backdrop that offers little context beyond the immediate action.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a moment of everyday animal behavior, rendered with a touch of humor through the exaggerated pose of the second horse. By focusing on a mundane, bodily function, Verkolje invites viewers to consider the natural world’s unvarnished realities, while the ambiguous surroundings prevent a specific narrative, leaving the scene open to interpretation.

Technique & Style

Executed in mezzotint on laid paper, the print relies on a labor‑intensive process of roughening and smoothing a copper plate to achieve a range of soft, velvety tones. Verkolje’s handling of light and shadow creates a gradual tonal transition that gives the horses a three‑dimensional presence, while the grainy texture lends the image a slightly blurred, atmospheric quality.

History & Provenance

Created in the early eighteenth century, the piece reflects Verkolje’s proficiency in printmaking during a period when mezzotint was prized for its capacity to render chiaroscuro effects. The work is now part of the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, where it is displayed alongside other examples of Dutch printmaking from the same era.