The artwork titled “Rearing Stallion” was created by the artist Alexander Calder in 1928. This sculpture falls under the Expressionism art movement, although Calder is widely known for being a significant figure in the abstract modern art movements, including Kinetic art and Abstract Expressionism which evolved later in his career. This particular sculpture depicts the form of a horse in a dynamic rearing pose, which conveys a sense of movement and liveliness.
The sculpture is made out of wire and presents a skillfully abstracted rendition of a stallion rearing up on its hind legs. Calder’s ability to capture the essence and energy of the subject with minimalism is evidenced by the careful arrangement of the wires, which form the outline of the horse’s body, limbs, mane, and tail. Even with such simple lines, the sense of balance and tension in the pose of the stallion is palpable. The base of the sculpture appears to be a solid, flat piece that provides stability for the wire structure. Calder’s use of space and the economy of line suggest the influence of the Expressionist emphasis on emotional expression and the representation of inner feelings over realistic detail.
