Study of a Horse's Head

Carlevarijs's study of a horse's head provided reference material for the mounted figures and horse-drawn vehicles that appeared in his Venetian view paintings. Horses in Venice were an unusual sight — the city's canals made wheeled transport impossible except in certain campi — but state ceremonies, including the Doge's processions, featured horses, and visitors arriving by land required stabling on the terraferma. The horse study demonstrates Carlevarijs's awareness that complete documentation of Venetian life required attention to its exceptional and ceremonial elements as well as its everyday character. His vedute paintings often depicted state ceremonies where horses might appear, making this study practically useful.

The horse's head is modeled with careful attention to the musculature and bone structure beneath the skin. Warm tones capture the animal's coloring, with highlights on the muzzle and eyes adding life to the study.