The Horse

Overview

Horses have been admired for their majestic, athletic, and even mythical qualities from artists over centuries, and the NGV has decided it’s time to acknowledge this creature’s ongoing inspiration. From the winged Pegasus to the winning Phar Lap, these four-legged powerhouses have generated interest from artists not just over millennia, but across cultural divides, with artwork including gilded riding saddles from Japan to artwork featured in Sidney Nolan’s iconic Ned Kelly series.

The exhibition will present over 250 pieces, including antiquities, major paintings, riding garments, saddles, sculptures, trophies and decorative arts. Artists featured in this vast exhibition include Goya, Rembrandt, Albrecht Dürer Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, John Brack, Frederick McCubbin and Jenny Watson, to name a few.

Whether you’re fascinated by the pomp and pageantry of racing, the equine’s role in conflict and warfare, or their representation in ancient cultures, there’s sure to be some animal artwork that will pique your interest. Fittingly, the exhibition coincides with Melbourne’s Race That Stops The Nation. But you don’t need to place any bets here folks, this stunning exhibition is free.