Postman or Two Harnessed Horses

Postman or Two Harnessed Horses by Théodore Géricault, executed in 1823, is a powerful example of the artist’s mastery of the lithographic medium. As a classification of printmaking that experienced a resurgence during the early nineteenth century, lithography allowed Géricault to achieve deep contrasts and painterly effects, often blurring the lines between drawing and reproduction. This particular impression utilizes chine collé, a specialized technique where a thin layer of fine paper is adhered to a heavier backing sheet during the printing process, enhancing the detail and saturation of the image.

The subject matter reflects a common theme in Géricault’s work: the dynamic relationship between humanity and the powerful physique of the horse. Created toward the end of his brief career in France, this work captures the realism and emotional intensity characteristic of the Romantic movement, even when depicting the seemingly mundane labor of a figure tending to harnessed animals. Géricault was acutely focused on the mechanics of movement and anatomical structure, and although the composition is simplified through the starkness of the black-and-white print, the tension and vitality of the animals remain palpable.

While often overshadowed by his monumental canvases like The Raft of the Medusa, Géricault’s extensive output of prints provides crucial insight into his evolving artistic interests and draftsmanship. These prints were key to the dissemination of his works during his lifetime and continue to be studied today for their technical brilliance. This sophisticated work, a seminal piece within the artist’s graphic output, is held in the prestigious collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of its historical importance and age, the image is frequently referenced in resources designated for the public domain.