Horses

Art Historical Context

Solon H. Borglum (1868–1922), a leading American sculptor renowned for his dynamic depictions of the American West, this preparatory drawing titled *orses*. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum as a gift from Mr. Mrs. A. Mervyn Davies, the undated work exemplifies Borglum's meticulous approach to capturing equine anatomy and movement. As a sculptor influenced by the realistic animalier tradition and the romanticism of Western themes—much like his brother Gutzon Borglum monumental works—this drawing served as a vital study for larger sculptural projects. In the medium of drawing, Borglum honed the fluid lines and proportions essential for translating two-dimensional sketches into three-dimensional bronze or stone forms. Such studies were crucial during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when American artists celebrated the power and spirit of horses as symbols of frontier life and human endeavor. The tag "sculpture study" highlights its functional role, revealing the artist's process of observation and refinement. Visitors to the Smithsonian will appreciate how *Horses* bridges sketchbook experimentation with monumental sculpture, offering a window into Borglum's passion for the West's untamed energy. A testament to artistic preparation, it invites us to imagine these noble steeds galloping into fully realized bronzes.