Pangloss

In its faithfulness to nature and keen grasp of anatomical structure, Rufus is one of George Stubbs's finest horse portraits. Largely self-taught, the artist's ability to depict the natural world owed a great deal to his study of anatomy, which included detailed dissections of horses. Although it was Stubbs's practice to paint his horses first and then complete the surrounding landscape in his studio, the plain background in this painting was surely intentional. The neutral background focuses attention on the beautifully precise drawing and the fine texture of the horse's coat. [source]

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eli Lilly