The artwork titled “Tethered Horse,” painted by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec circa 1881, is an oil on canvas belonging to the animal painting genre within the Impressionism art movement. This piece measures 49 by 59 centimeters and is presently held in a private collection.
The artwork presents a solitary horse, depicted with the characteristic quick brushstrokes and attention to light and movement that distinguish the Impressionist style. The use of light and shadow plays across the horse’s body, highlighting its form and musculature with a range of colors beyond mere white and grey, possibly indicating the effects of sunlight and the natural setting surrounding the animal. The composition is relatively simple, with the horse centrally positioned and tethered, suggesting perhaps a moment of rest or captivity. The background appears to be a mix of architectural elements and darker foliage, which provides a contrast to the lighter, more delicately rendered figure of the horse. The artwork exudes an atmosphere of both tranquility and a subtle undercurrent of tension, as the tethering implies both a static moment and the potential for movement.
