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Grey horse pictures
Composite horse pictures
Bay and chestnut horse pictures
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Horse Pictures
- Heads
Antique
pictures of horses
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Taken from:
The Beauties and Defects in the Figure of the Horse
Delineated in a Series of Coloured Plates
by H. Alken
Published in London by S. and J. Fuller at the Temple
of Fancy, 34 Rathbone Place
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Notes accompanying this plate Figure 1
- The head here introduced, in its character, very
nearly reaches the perfection of good temper, spirit,
and beauty: it ought progressively to diminish in
weight and size as it approaches the nose. If pressed
by the thumb, the cheek bones should appear to be
merely covered with skin, and the jaw underneath
should be hollow, with the skin loose. By comparing
these remarks with the figure, and contrasting its
form with the other subjects in this Plate, the
reader will possess himself of a perfect knowledge
of these requisites in the choice or judgment of
an animal.
Figure 2 - Represents a head, not inferior,
perhaps, to the former in temper, but wholly deficient
in spirit and in beauty. The head is heavy, and
badly set onto the neck: the jaw-bone and gullet
forming almost an angle: the nose is encumbered
with a great deal of what is technically called
leather. However perfect this animal may
be in all his other points, he will prove heavy
and sluggish, and always carry his head most awkwardly
and unpleasantly.
Figure 3 - Is the front view of a head
well proportioned, and marked with an expression
that bids fair for good temper and spirit: narrow
at the setting of the ears, which, when the look
of the animal is marked with particular anxiety,
should be brought nearly together at the points,
extending in bone towards the eyes, which ought
to look sideways rather than straight forward. Let
the reader compare the decrease down the nose with
Figure 4.
Figure 4 - Shews the front view of a head,
heavy in spirit and disposition: broad at the point
or crown of the head: the increase on the eye-brow
is composed of flesh and skin; the direction of
the eyes, looking forward, and thence downwards
to the nose, displays but little deviation in substance.
The distinction will be easily perceived by a reference
to figure 3.
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The picture above is an
illustrated plate from the 1816 publication, the inside title page of which
is reproduced here along with the introduction to the book
 "By
a detailed series of graphic and descriptive illustrations, it is the
intention of the Author of this Work to show the good and bad points in
that most useful and noble animal the Horse. He has adopted the mode of
detaching various parts of the subject, because, by comparison of the
distinct appearances, the general impression upon the memory of the
reader is much likely to be much stronger than could result from the
study of any treatise of a less abstracted nature; to understand which,
a knowledge of anatomy, or a constant reference to some scientific work
is indispensable.
This Publication is also intended as a
Book of Lessons for such young Artists as are inclined to pursue the
study of the Horse in all the different points of his figure and action.
There is no animal whose countenance
combines such correct and powerful expressions of character. The
physiognomy of the Horse, therefore, illustrating the different passions
to which he is subject, as well as the natural bias of his temper and
disposition, is an important branch of study to gentleman of the turf,
and to young purchasers; for it is generally considered, that to timid
riders and drivers, the temper of the beast is of more consequence than
any bodily blemish.
In this point of view, therefore, the
Author flatters himself that his Work will be found useful; and as his
remarks are the result of the most attentive observation during many
years, entirely devoted to the pleasures of the field, he trusts that
the general principles which he has laid down, as well with respect to
power, strength, and the various points of action as to the
physiognomical character and figure of the horse, will be found fairly
elucidated in the following series." |
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