Cast Iron Mule Bank

Sarkis Erganian

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture depicts a figure of a man sitting on a stool and holding a rod, facing a horse standing on its front legs. The man's clothing is colored in yellow and blue, and he has dark brown skin. The horse's body is primarily brown with some darker shades to accentuate features such as the mane and tail, and it has harness-like straps across its body. The sculpture appears to be made of a sturdy material, possibly metal or painted ceramic, suggested by the smooth and glossy texture visible on its surface. The base on which both figures stand is elongated and also painted, with a predominately brown-red hue. The overall composition appears to be of a playful or training scenario between the man and the horse.