Wild Horses at Play
1844
George Catlin was obsessed with capturing the American West before settlement changed it forever, and this lively scene is a perfect example of his mission. Created in 1844, it shows a massive herd of wild horses galloping across the plains, their manes flying and hooves kicking up dust. You can see horses of every color—jet black, snowy white, and spotted—racing towards the viewer with a mountain looming in the distance. Catlin traveled thousands of miles to witness these herds firsthand, believing these 'mustangs' were descendants of horses brought by Spanish explorers centuries earlier. He wanted to preserve the untamed spirit of the continent, and this energetic print does exactly that, freezing a moment of pure freedom on the open range.