"Horse écorché", second half of the 20th century

"Horse écorché", second half of the 20th century.
Stucco sculpture.
Steel base.
Measurements: 100 x 90 x 30 cm.

Sculpture in stucco of great format that represents the anatomy of a horse following the model known as écorché, French term used to designate the skinned human or animal figures, conceived for the study of the musculature and the corporal structure. The work shows the animal in a dynamic attitude, with one of the front legs raised, the neck erect and the head turned, which accentuates the anatomical tension and the articulation of the different muscle groups.

This type of model harks back to a long academic tradition that began in the Renaissance, when anatomical knowledge became an essential part of artistic training. Along with manuals, treatises, drawings and prints, artists also resorted to three-dimensional models and casts of human and animal figures as a support for learning volume, proportion and physiognomy.

Because of its dimensions, the piece acquires a remarkable sculptural and decorative presence, while retaining the didactic vocation of anatomical models. Its light, aged surface reinforces the character of an academic study, while the steel base gives it a sober and contemporary presentation.