Carousel Horse

George Constantine

National Gallery of Art

A carousel horse is drawn in graphite, colored pencil, and watercolor against a cream-white board in this horizontal illustration. The rendering is so detailed that at first (and even second) glance, it appears to be a photograph of the three-dimensional object. The white horse’s head is to the right, and its thick white mane blows back. Lines across the horse’s body suggest that the wood has split or it has been repaired over time. Traces of red, blue, pink, and yellow paint decorate the horse’s body where a blanket might lie across the back. Reins lead back from the horse’s parted lips and blocky teeth to reach the long, padded, dark gray seat. The stirrup we see emerges from the horse’s side. All four legs are lifted and hooves point lightly down and back.