Lustre, held by a Groom
ca. 1762
George Stubbs, the ultimate 18th-century horse whisperer, captures the legendary racehorse Lustre in all his lean, muscular glory. Notice how the groom looks almost like an afterthought compared to the magnificent, gleaming bay horse dominating the dramatic landscape. Stubbs was famously obsessed with equine anatomy, even spending 18 months dissecting horses to get every muscle and vein exactly right. This intense dedication to scientific realism helped elevate animal painting from a mere decorative craft to high art.
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