Horses

The horse is one of the most noble creatures on earth, famed for its courage, intelligence and great endurance under all circumstances. Many human civilisations owe their rapid expansRead moreion to the horse, since this animal was one of the first to be domesticated. Its outline adorns the earliest cave paintings of prehistoric people. These canvas prints celebrate the many and various contributions that horses continue to make in our lives. They are our friends, our sporting companions and our workmates, helping us to interact with the environment in a great many useful and enjoyable ways.

My kingdom for a horse!

Horses have been invaluable helpers throughout history. Some breeds have helped to plough our fields and transport the materials with which our great cities, towns and ships were built. In times of trouble, many a medieval lord owed his life to his horse. Others have dashed across the prairies on horseback, before the arrival of the railways, to bring news to distant locations in the shortest possible time. These patient animals provided safe carriage across difficult terrain and loyal companionship during long journeys. They carried the injured to safety and brought help to those in need. Pilgrims, soldiers and merchants relied on horses to take them to the great towns and cities of the world where they could carry out their business. The art of the Middle Ages abounds with paintings of horses at war, decked out in elaborate armour, and also at peace, carrying gentle maidens through idyllic forest landscapes. It is a pity that many people in our hi-tech world have forgotten how essential horses once were to our very survival. Today, we likely to remember how kings and princes led their armies on horseback, and we still are fascinated to watch how cowboys tend their cattle with the help of their trusty mounts. Brave knights arrived on their white chargers to rescue maidens in distress, while the villains on their black steeds skulked in the darkness, waiting to avenge the defeat of their champion. Our canvas prints bring these ancient narratives back to life, celebrating the power of good against evil, and the spirit of adventure that travels out on horseback into the wilderness and never gives up. Whether in realistic poses, drawn from nature, or painted imaginatively against fantastic, dream-like landscapes drawn from classic works of fiction, a canvas print of a horse will remind us just how important these creatures have been in our history and imagination.

Horses at work and at play

Much as we appreciate the capacity for work that horses have, we should not forget that these creatures have very often been by our side in the pursuit of pleasure too. Hunting, trekking, racing and competitive jumping are just a few of the sports in which horses play a leading role. Horse riding for pleasure takes many forms, these days, and each new generation of horse lovers discovers its own preferred options. A canvas print of a new-born foal skipping in the lush green of a summer pasture, for example, reminds us of the energy and potential of youth. A stately cart horse, towing a canal boat, a royal coach, or a wedding carriage on the other hand, demonstrates the reliability and strength of these admirable beasts as they accompany us through holidays and ceremonies. Horses can be wild, but they are also able to learn discipline and duty, making them ideal candidates for service in many human endeavours. Along with its fabled cousin, the unicorn, the horse is a creature of mythical significance. Fairy tales and legends remind us how much we admire their loyalty and their power. A painting of white horses galloping along the shore with their manes and tails flying will not fail to bring a breath of fresh air to your living room. Or perhaps a canvas print of a sculpted horse's head, complete with rippling muscles and dashing eyes, would be an even more inspiring image to hang on your wall? There is always room for a graphically accurate painting of the fluid movement of the horse. Canvas prints on the theme of horses will never fail to catch your imagination. In our cities we may not be able to have our very own horse but a life-like painting is the next best thing! Our paintings and prints reflect the many different shapes and sizes that we have come to love, from the tiny Shetland pony to the magnificent Arabian racehorse. Rich chestnut, black, white, piebald or burnished gold, the variety of colour we see in horses brings back memories of films and stories that we loved in childhood. Horses have always been a very important part of our work and play, and with a lasting piece of art we will be sure to capture their amazing spirit and let it inspire us as we go about our daily lives.
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