To celebrate the Year of the Horse, the Shanghai branch of Galerie Dumonteil, a French gallery based in Paris, is presenting an equine-themed exhibition, The Cavalcade. The exhibition shows the artworks of seven European artists, most of them from France, including paintings, wood carvings and bronze sculptures.

The horse has undoubtedly had a profound impact on European history. From the animal's earliest beginnings, when it was eaten, through the Middle Ages, European imperial families and aristocrats couldn't live without them as means of transportation, beasts of burden, and cavalry troops. Horses played an essential role in Europe's agricultural revolution and were regarded as companion animals.

A series of horse-themed artworks on display at The Cavalcade Photos: Courtesy of Galerie Dumonteil Shanghai

A series of horse-themed artworks on display at The Cavalcade Photos: Courtesy of Galerie Dumonteil Shanghai

 

"In France, horses are considered man's best friend," Zheng Yuxin, the exhibition's curator and president of the Galerie Dumonteil in Asia, told the Global Times. "The progress of human civilization and many aspects of daily life throughout human history are related to the horse, so they are a very strong symbol of life."

"One of the popular proverbs about horses is 'Qui veut voyager loin, ménage sa monture,' which means, 'Whoever wants to travel far must spare one's horse,'" Zheng added.

According to Zheng, the artists featured in the exhibition all have personal experiences with horses, or have great interest in horsemanship.

French painter and engraver Gen Paul (1895-1975) was born in Montmartre on Rue Lepic, where van Gogh once lived. Due to the dynamism and motion inherent in his paintings, Paul was generally considered as an action painter, a precursor to the abstract expressionists of the 1950s. This style is evident in Paul's series of painting works shown in the Shanghai exhibition. They are mostly black and white, except for the colorful Les courses à Auteuil (Races at Auteuil).

A series of horse-themed artworks on display at The Cavalcade Photos: Courtesy of Galerie Dumonteil Shanghai

A series of horse-themed artworks on display at The Cavalcade Photos: Courtesy of Galerie Dumonteil Shanghai

As one of France's leading equestrian artists, Hubert de Watrigant was born and brought up in southwest France where his father bred and trained racehorses, and whose artistic career began by sketching horses in his father's stables. De Watrigant uses a wide range of materials including charcoal, pastels, watercolor and oils and works on many different surfaces, which is demonstrated in his paintings at the exhibition.

Marine Oussedik also made horses the signature subject of her works. Through her brushstrokes and ink drawing craftsmanship, Oussedik's horse paintings are as delicate as a watercolor while exuding force and elegance.

The 2.5-meter-tall bronze horse sculpture displayed in the middle of the exhibition hall was made by French sculptor Jean-Marie Fiori. The first edition of this sculpture was collected by the Prince of Saudi Arabia in 2005.

Also on display is Jean-Marc Bodin's bronze sculpture work showing a magnificent scene of horses running across a river.

All the works in this group exhibition are exhibited for the first time in China.

Date: Until January 30, 11 am to 7 pm from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday)

Venue: Galerie Dumonteil Shanghai

Address: Room 101, Building 15, 523 Fuxing Road Middle

复兴中路523号15幢101

Admission: Free

Call 6418-6367 for details.