“The Large Horse,” created by Albrecht Dürer in 1509, is an engraving belonging to the Northern Renaissance art movement. It is an animal painting genre artwork and, as of the last reported information, is held in a private collection.
The engraving shows a robust, large horse viewed from the side, dominating the composition’s foreground. The majestic animal is detailed with care, showcasing Dürer’s mastery of the medium and his attention to the anatomical precision and the textural qualities of the horse’s mane and sinewy muscles. Standing to the left, partially cut off by the engraving’s border, is a figure believed to represent a noble or knight, wearing elaborate armor with a large feathered helmet, holding a lance or a standard. The setting includes details of what appears to be ruins or classical architecture, offering a sense of historical context or narrative to the image. The date “1505” is inscribed within the image towards the upper right, signifying the year of creation. Despite the artwork being referred to as created in 1509, the date on the engraving indicates 1505 which might be the actual year it was made.
