George Stubbs

In 1756, at the age of 32, Stubbs embarked on an undertaking that shaped his later artistic career; he devoted the next fifty years to the first comprehensive anatomical presentation of horses. For a year and a half Stubbs dissected horses, making 41 incredibly detailed drawings that far exceeded the standard of previous depictions. When he took his works to London, however, he found no publisher for his drawings and could not persuade engravers to reproduce them. Stubbs remained undaunted and learned engraving himself instead. He spent several years on the meticulous reproduction of his drawings, until finally in 1766 he published The Anatomy of the Horse, ten years after beginning the work. Seeing this painting gives us some idea of Stubbs’ commitment to his undertaking. Beside Stubbs’ pictures, the works of his predecessors look simplified and schematic.

From the page of Whistlejacket