Guillaume - Art History Term Paper

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1. Artist: Guillaume I Coustou (Lyon, 1677 - Paris, 1746)

1. Title: Horse Restrained by Groom, also known as Chevaux de Marly

1. Year(s): 1739-1745

1. Place of execution: Paris, France

1. Medium: Carrara marble

1. Dimensions: 340 cm x 284 cm x 127 cm   (133.9 in x 111.8 in x 50 in)

1. Period: Age of Enlightenment (18th century)

1. Location: Musée de Louvre, Paris, France

1. Subject: Full-size horse restrained by a full-size groom.

1. Description: This large marble sculpture was commissioned for the Chateau de Marly by Louis XV after “The Statues of Fame and Mercury”, commissioned by Louis XIV and executed by Coustou’s uncle Antoine Coysevox, were removed and sent to Tuileries. Coustou derived inspiration from the “Dioscuri” in Rome, “Horses of the Sun” by the Marsy brothers, and Robert le Lorrain’s recent work hoisted at the Hotel de Rohan. He used these inspirations and his uncle’s example to create this widely considered masterpiece in a record time of 2 years. After sustaining some damage to the bridle, tousled mane, floating tail, and backside the “Horse of Marly” was sent to the Louvre museum in France (1984) to be conserved and has resided there since.

1. Interpretation: In contrast to Coysevox’s work and many other sculptures of the time, Coustou’s horses included no mythological or allegorical elements. What is presented is a simple display of primitive nature. The sculpture gives us a snapshot of a struggle between two wild, natural forces: an untamed horse and a naked man. The horse, although majestic in its stature, seems to be exhibiting signs of panic and fear in the middle of rearing and tossing its head with dilated eyes, flared nostrils, and a tousled mane. The man seems to be giving his best effort in controlling the wild beast by taking a wide stance and wrapping his hands around its back and neck. No matter what angle the spectator is viewing the sculpture from, through positioning, movement and a battle of strength, signs of struggle are clear and prominent.

1. Keywords (5):  Guillaume Coustou – Chateau de Marly – Sculpture – 18th century France – Delicate carving