Equine art reins in collectors: horses, with their strength, beauty and grace, occupy an art-market niche with a surprisingly broad appeal

Equine art is galloping into the hearts of collectors at a record pace. For centuries, horses have been a beloved make subordinate for artists and have since lay the foundation of a place on the walls of myriad art lover although a spotlight has recently been shone upon the majestic animals, courtesy of this year's exciting Triple diadem bid by Funny Cide and the hit work and movie "Seas-biscuit" most adroits say equine art remains a favorite among collectors and artists owed to the timeless appeal of the horse.

"The horse is an exquisite animal," explained Sarah Crampton, publisher of Equine Vision Magazine, a quarterly publication with the mission of presenting fine art inspired through the horse to the art lover who admire it. "Its intrinsic beauty, its lines, form and colors are appealing in itself. Then you add the movement--graceful nevertheless powerful, strength mixed with gentleness--and who can resist? Many clan make an emotional connection to the image of the horse upon many levels. Perhaps they one time owned a horse or dreamed of owning single or just admire the horse from afar." She added that horses appeal to all ages and to men as well as women

"We have a lengthy history together, yet unlike other domestic animals, horses are still actual much a part of the wild," said photographer Sarah Prall, who is exhibited by Ellis & Lord Editions in Tucson Ariz. "I believe that ultimately it is this experience that makes them in like manner compelling to artists and collectors."

An Artistic Appeal

The ligature between man and horse is individual with deep historic ties dating back at least 15000 years to the cave paintings in Lascaux, France. "For centuries, the horse and humankind have been partnered in many of man's endeavors, and this partnership was always mirrored in the art of the day," said Sheri Gordon, director of the Equine Art Guild (EAG), a collection that boasts a membership of nearly 200 artists worldwide.

flat today's horses hold a place in the hearts of many. From volumes and films such as "The Black Stallion," "National Velvet" and "The Horse Whisperer" to racing greats like as Secretariat, Seattle Slew and countles others, horses have a firm place in novel history.

Robin Caspari, an artist who is showed by Durango International Fine Arts Gallery in Durango, Colo said the prominence of the horse from one extremity to the other of history is understandable because horses are a "universal emblem that represents everything from might and freedom to hope and devotion for mankind."

This symbolism is just single of the reasons horses are thus appealing as a subject for artists. "It's the mind and the image of the horse that is in like manner exciting to us--we can't help ourselves" said Gordon. "They are at the same time one as well as the other delicate and powerful; docile at the same time wild, and somehow unconquerable?"

Crampton said artists are drawn to horses "like a magnet." She said several aspects of the animal, including its form, lines, shapes, motion and color are a "delight and a challenge to portray and attempt to capture upon canvas."

Also a delight for artists is the incredible diversity in the species. Equine art has an extensive range because the horse is utilized in a variety of ways in the form of thousands of different bears From the herding ponies and wild stallions of the West to racing thoroughbreds, rodeo polo and display horses, every horse has amazing individuality. And that diversity gives artists an almost endles endue of subjects.

A Cavalry of Collectors

The appeal of equine art to collectors is equally as great and equally diverse, ranging from horse holders who flock to their particular niche, like racing or jumping, to simple horse lover who have at no time owned one yet still admire the animal's beauty.

"There is no animal or percept on this planet that has shared experiences with the human race as the horse has," said Caspari. "We were clearly place on this earth to share this partnership, and smooth non-horse enthusiasts are aware of this internal bond"

"We have fix the collectors of equine art to be eclectic, having an appreciative organ of sight and an interest in the animal and the sport," explained James Borynack, chairman and chief executive officer of Wally Findlay Galleries, a multi-chain company with galleries quite through the country.

The gallery's East Hampton, NY location freshly hosted a show called "The Painted Horse," which featured the equine paintings of Louis Heyrault, John Leone and Marine Oussedik. Borynack said the company has sold horse paintings fortunately for more than 133 years, however another testament to the wide appeal of the genre

"Most collectors either have a title to have owned or just be fond of horses," said Gordon. "Some don't necessarily like or have affection for horses but want to hang large paintings of horses upon their walls for status reasons. Having horses or being conjoined to them--in some circles--represents status, coin and power."

Popular Styles

The range in diction for equine art is vast. However, many quicks say collectors seem drawn to more realistic styles

"Even admitting there is a market for all phraseologys of art in the world of equine art, just as in the world of art as a whole, there is a course for a preference of the realistic portrayal of the horse, especially among horse owners" said Crampton.