Untitled (Horses)

Maqbool Fida Husain's horses have become a central part of his oeuvre since his first representation of the animal in 1951. They are depicted as strong creatures, usually galloping, with reared heads and tremendous movement. His inspiration to paint horses came from his sojourn in China where he studied Han and Tang pottery horses and a trip to Italy where he discovered the equestrian sculptures of the Italian artist Marino Marini (1901-1980). Husain's horses are not plastic forms treated to stylistic variations; rather, they are sensuous creatures that have become personal symbols for the artist.