The Mounted Acrobats

American 19th Century

National Gallery of Art

This painting depicts two people balancing on a running horse. The horse is mid-gallop, heading to the left, with a red cloth on its back and a silver halter on its face. It is a rich brown color, with a short mane. Standing on its back is a person with short, curly blond hair and pale skin, wearing a pale-yellow tunic or dress with puffy sleeves, silver embellishments, and white tights. They are standing with one arm extended to the side and the other raised, and one of their legs is slightly bent. On their shoulder stands a much smaller person with the same skin, hair, and pale-yellow costume. This person has one leg extended outward, and they are holding a blue fabric in both hands which twists through the air. The background shows an indoor setting, with teal fabric hung below red drapes, and on the left is the front of a building with peach walls. The floor is gray, and slopes slightly downward on the left and right.