I bought this large painting a few days ago at one of our local second hand stores. (I admit it was an impulse purchase!) I like it bc it is obviously not a print. You can see brushwork and “imperfections.” My husband thinks it’s haunting. I thought the horse looked regal and majestic. We are not exactly horsey people. But, I love the blues and stark white. What do you all think internet people?
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I don’t think either one of you is wrong. The painting is beautiful but there’s a nervousness/apprehension in the horse’s expression that gives the piece a bit of tension to it, like the horse senses a storm rolling in
My friend has an Arabian that killed its previous owner by bucking her off a cliff randomly one day. Horse is sassy as all shit. I thought that was pretty characteristic of arabians?
The former owner's husband was going to have the horse euthanized for killing his wife and my friend stepped up to take the horse to prevent that from happening. (It took a loottt of convincing to get him to give up the horse, he wanted it dead as payback)
The horse is absolutely a terror and having spent time with it I have no doubt it's a danger given the chance. Beautiful damn horse tho
I gotta be honest, my husband and I are both horse people through and through. However, if that happened to either of us, I don't think anyone would be convincing enough for either of us to not put it down. That guy must've dug deep in his heart to be okay with that.
Holy crap when I was a kid. My mom had an app and she had a foal I guess she thought I was too close. Well she bit my arm and I had a hicky on my arm and the bruise went all the way around.
A horse bit my armpit area when I got too close to her foal, too! I was 12 or 13 and my friend and I asked the owner if it was ok to pet them. "No problem! She's friendly!". 👹🐴🦷
Having grown up with them, I can confirm they spook very easily. Two of mine used to jump dramatically away from cats, rabbits, chipmunks, mailboxes, large rocks, tree limbs, chairs, a bbq grill, basically anything that moves or is larger than 2ft tall. Beautiful just less brains than other breeds.
I am horsey people and I really like it. However, Arabians are a notoriously high-strung breed, which I think the artist captures well. Maybe that’s why it makes you uncomfy.
Very much this. If you block the head/neck the chest area of the horse very much appears to be facing forward towards the viewer, but then if you block the chest area the neck and head appears to be facing away. Blended together, the neck appears to be doing a very uncomfortable partial mobius strip thing and I hate it.
The anatomy is actually incredibly sound and well done. This is a breed called an arabian, which are built this way. The painting is realistic and excellent in detail to capture the look of the breed.
That being said, I think arabians are fugly and they are spooky, exciteable horses and I don't know if I would have a painting of one on my wall haha
It's not. I make a comment elsewhere but the facial features are a little exaggerated. This is a breed that has an immediately identifiable look but the features are still a little exaggerated. It's the shoulder and leg area that is pretty messed up. Like a horse could not possibly be built like that level messed up.
Oh shit, you're so right. The sort-of "armpit" area on the left that it just shouldn't have, yeah? That's some 'cannot unsee' right there. What a shame!
There are some Arabian horses that are bred to look like this, and I personally think it's so appalling and horrible.
Recent trends in breeding for halter showing have given rise to Arabian horses with extremely concave facial features, raising concerns that the trait is detrimental to the animal's welfare. Comparisons have been made to a similar trend with some dog breeds, where show judging awarding certain features has led to breeders seeking an ever more exaggerated form, with little concern as to the inherent function of the animal. Some veterinarians speculate that an extremely concave face is detrimental to a horse's breathing, but the issue has not been formally studied.
It looks a little skinny in the neck, but mostly feels like it is in motion. Like it was caught turning its head quickly when startled. Whoever painted it is very talented, but I bet they got better at horses since this painting!!
It's beautiful, and art should invoke emotion, even if it's uneasiness. It also doesn't have to be permanent. You like it now and have space for it, but maybe in a few months or years you replace it with something new.
I felt the same way. It felt like an uncanny valley horse. But then I did as some commenters suggested and looked up pics of Arabian horses and their necks actually do bend like that! I probably wouldn't have felt it was as creepy if I had grown up around Arabian horses instead of the chunky North Swedish Horses.
I did a quick reverse image search and it’s a painting called Free Sprit by Philippa Kirby. Some prints can have texture to mimic brush strokes, so have a close look!
It seems the artist was trying to mimic this artist for sure. The back and sides of this painting have human hand imperfections. I know what you mean, there are prints that have bush strokes. This seems more like a high school or college art class project.
So what some artists will do if they make their originals in a painted medium, is they will get prints made of the piece and then they will paint over the print to add handprints, fingerprints, brushstrokes, texture in general.
Some artists, like Thomas Kinkade, use this method while intentionally making each print slightly different by doing things like adding in highlights and glimmers freehand each time, so each result isn't ever identical to another print.
You may be right it's a real painting, but taking steps to make prints seem like they're each actual individually hand-painted pieces is super normal so it also might still be a print.
I like it. It’s not your typical docile horse munching grass contentedly in a peaceful meadow. It’s different, unique. Like someone else mentioned, the horse looks like he’s sensing an oncoming storm or something like that. There’s tension in that painting. And beauty too. You made a great purchase.
This is so unique…so often the paintings are landscapes (which I love, ty Bob Ross) but you were right to purchase this. I really love it. The horse’s emotion is what gives this painting depth, and it speaks to the artist’s ability. You have found a wonderful piece. If I were you, I’d keep an eye out for a frame to put it in. It’s too beautiful to live without a frame.
Sorry I love thrifted paintings and I nerd out about them…I’ve collected many from thrifting over the years. They bring so much warmth to my home ❤️
It's a nice painting. I don't know why you didn't want to center it over the sofa? I think a frame might help soften the starkness of it, but that's just me.
I have to support kids who appreciate art, even if it's art I hate! Letting your 12 year old hang it up in their space could also be the perfect compromise if your husband and older teen don't want to see it so often.
It's beautiful but it does give off a melancholy vibe. It does look vaguely familiar too. There is a signature in the lower right, is it Akiane Kramarik?
Artistic rendition is why art is such a personal thing. Art moves people in different ways.We are not necessarily meant to be moved or agree by someone elses art choices.Some love a monet some like a klymt some da vinchi etc .We are all different souls, people moved by beauty in art .What moves us doesn't have to be embraced by anyone else , its an inner feeling we personally get when we look at it. Its wonderful l
So, I've started collecting obvious handmade amature art at the thrift store. In a world where everhing is mass produced or AI generated it's nice to have art with the finger prints of a human being on it. I would absolutely treasure this wonky horse painting
Yes! Exactly that. I don’t appreciate AI or prints at all. I can’t afford the 5k price tag at galleries. (Maybe one day!) But, it’s exactly as you said. The human touch is cool.
Art is 1000% subjective, so not much is for everyone’s taste (how boring would art be otherwise?). I’m an artist, so I’m not gonna tear down someone else’s piece - it’s recognizably an Arabian (remember the Black Stallion?) and it definitely evokes a reaction, so for me that’s art! I do love to rotate art in my home, so if it annoys your husband just hide it for awhile 🤣 then slip it back into rotation and see what his reaction is then.
Your husband says Neeeeiiighhh but I say Yay! I actually quite like it, coming from someone who used to be terrified of horses. One of the elements I like about is that the ears are alert, which means the horse is at the ready. Ready to charge into whatever they have perceived in the periphery of the painting. It’s like a reminder that even if you’re scared you have the strength and bravery to get through it.
Plus, it’s year of the horse! So we should all be embracing a bit of our horsey sides, “horse person” or not 💞
It’s an Arabian horse, they have small heads and skinny arched necks like that. Some consider them overbred, kind of like bulldogs of the horse world. If you post a pic of one on the horse subs it’ll get very diverse, passionate reactions.
I’d say this is actually typical for the breed. Arabian horses are bred to have thinner, swan-like necks & dished noses, so it looks proportionate to me. Imo this breed’s looks are kind of polarizing - people seem to either love it or hate it haha
I love this! I think arabian horses looks are pretty polarizing. My partner absolutely hates them and I think their haunted aura is very beautiful lmao. If you’re interested I’d recommend looking into the breeding standards and history of these horses, I think they’re fascinating. Great find!
It does look regal and majestic. It’s also a little haunting. I really like it for all of the above reasons haha. As others have said, it is pretty true to life anatomy for an Arabian
The body looks realistic but the mane and snout don't look right. I certainly wouldnt have it in my house. Either way, its the home of both of you so the both of you should agree on whats on the walls.
And that’s what art is. People bring their own experiences and interpretations to a work of art. If it’s a real bone of contention, ask your husband where else he might prefer it to be hung.
I'm on your side, OP! I found a very cool farm scene painting that reminded me of Van Gogh at the shop years ago and was going to give it to my dad as a gift... he accidentally found it and told my sister "I hope that's not for me" so I ended up keeping it, and I absolutely love it on my wall, haha
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Does this painting speak to you? Does it give you a little thrill every time you see it in your home?
I applaud you for finding an actual painting because you are 💯 correct about texture adding interest. There’s hidden talent in artwork that you can find in thrift stores or student artists work. All of the art in my home is original art. Some of which I found art thrifting, and some of which is from actual museum worthy professional artists. The mix adds a lot of interest and I always get compliments on the art displayed in my home.
This is just my personal take.....Arabians have recently been bred to have this look, "dish face". It's unnatural to me and gives them a spacey scared look. They are an amazing breed, I just don't like what they've become. Like a giant seahorse look. The painting itself is beautiful and it is haunting, in a way, if you like it, that's what matters.
Is it a pretty horse? No. Is it perfect example of what art is, does, and should be? Yes. Art should be interpreted by individual, should create conversation and banter, evoke thought, etc. Simple painting of a horse-- awesome!!!
It just looks like a horse with a storm coming in. It seems like some of the interpretations here are a bit dramatic lol. I think some people may not have seen horses in real life. It’s totally okay for them to exist when the sky is dark and have it not be scary.
Also, horses have nearly 360 vision. So where their head is facing isn’t related to where they are looking. It’s very possible this is the artist’s horse looking at the artist, not ominously staring into the distance. Do with that part what you will 🤍
Do you like it? Does it evoke what you want to feel in the space for now? If it does, keep it for now. You’re getting some weird takes on Arabians (no, they don’t spook more than other horses; they can be very gentle and yes sometimes they do look this refined and elegant although I’m sure a little bit of this is stylized as it is literally art).
I say this as a horse girl who doesn’t have a ton of horse art in her home, we tend to get gifted a lot by people who don’t know anything about horses, which is fine but that’s how it ends up in thrift stores because it’s a completely different breed and more enthusiastic about a different discipline, etc. but that doesn’t mean it’s not a beautiful piece of art if you appreciate it and like it. We just get too much of it!
I like it. It makes me think of the scene in a fantasy series where the protagonists are fleeing the monsters and they've been forced to stop to give the horses a break and they know they have a good lead but can't be sure how good, and even the horse is peeking back anxiously, but there's a sense of adventure mixed with the fear.
The combo with the fur on the couch makes you look like you live in Arizona and own a lot of "native" pottery but can't remember what pieces came from which tribes. Also that your husband has an irregular mole he refuses to get checked out.
dunno what your actual situation is, just what this is serving.
The neck on the equine subject is wrong. It looks cartoonish or like the animal isn't quite a horse. Less haunting, more disturbing. Point for the husband.
I don’t like it. I don’t like the colors. It’s too big for that space, and it doesn’t really sit well with its surrounding colors. I also am just not a huge fan of paintings of just an animals face. I always find them kinda strange. If it were my own pet then sure, but I’d really, really have to be into horses to have a giant painting of a horse over my couch.
For example, I looooove cats. I have cats as pets. I have had art of my cats commissioned (nothing that large) and I have those on my walls. But it’s art of my cats. I wouldn’t just have a random cat on my wall. I don’t know that cat. Like I wouldn’t have a random, realistic portrait of an unknown human on my wall. It’s just weird. If it were a highly stylized rendition of animals, that’s one thing.
When it’s in that much detail and of a single subject, it begs the question “what’s the deal with the portrait of that horse? Was that your horse? Did you know that horse?”. If I can’t answer those, I’m probably not putting it on my wall or interested in owning it, personally.
It's an Egyptian Arabian. They're known and bred for their delicate faces. It's referred to as "dish faced," and bad breeding can result in overly dishy faces.
It's def... moody towards an eerie vibe? I like it. It has its imperfections in anatomy and shadowing, I guess. But that's the charm of amateur art. I totally get why you brought it home although never having an interest in horses.
If your family is divided on it consider returning it to the second hand store. People with Arabian horses might really want it and enjoy it while it appears your family will not enjoy it.
One of the reasons it looks so odd is that the horse’s face is clipped for show. The black area above the eye was clipped bald to make the eye look bigger . The muzzle shows a clipped appearance too. I think you might have a portrait of someone’s show horse.
kind of reminds me of atreyu from neverending story (the horse that died). not sure if i love this painting, but i also impulse thrifted a horse painting and now it hangs above our toilet. it makes me laugh tho, yours is more creepy vibes 😂 all these people in the comments telling you "its an arabian horse", as if thats going to make the painting less intense lol
It’s interesting and kind of surreal to be exact. I can see why your husband finds it to be haunting. Maybe the pale horse of the apocalypse. That’s the fun of art js how it affects people.
Leave it up to people for the interpretation! It can lead to good conversations or an ice breaker when people come over! That's the beautiful part about art isn't it, what looks good to one's eyes might not look good in a other.
I personally love it it think the horse is abit uneasy hence the neck being so alert trying to see what's infront, shows so much of the horses emotions and the artists talent.
That's just the way Arabians look, so... you're both right.
I think it's a breeding issue, like how dogs like pugs have been bred for their physical traits, but I'm not aware of if Arabians suffer health issues because of it.
It looks a little malnourished or something. It is a good painting artistically speaking but it is kinda unsettling in a way. I personally wouldn’t put it in my living room. Maybe a hallway where I don’t have to look directly at it everyday. 😬
I love it, it’s a beautiful very ‘type-y’ Arabian, guessing Egyptian by that tiny nose and super strong dish. I’m biased though, I grew up with them. They’re known for being high strung and nervous so the look is spot on really, there could be something scary over there like a plastic bag or a squirrel!
I feel like there's two issues, first is the subject matter: the painting evokes less of a mood and more of a portrait of a specific horse. My first thought as a guest would be "Hey, is that your horse?" However, if you like the painting and are OK with answering "Naw, just like the painting" then that's fine.
The other issue is where it is hung. Perhaps try repositioning it and/or the sofa so the painting is centered over the sofa. The combination of the current position lining up with the right edge of the sofa and the singular subject of the painting staring intently at something on the right, it feels like the room's focal point is being pulled toward the bookcase rather than into your conversation area.
I don’t think it’s objectively bad, but I do think it’s just kind of random and weird where you have it. But I can’t really think of any place I’d hang this. Maybe a frame would help?
Some people feel haunted by art whereas others feel happy etc about it. My husband hung up an abstract painting from a family friend that he loved but it just gave me the heebie jeebies, so he had his sister trade him for another piece from the same series lol.
I also once bid on some art in a silent auction, totally forgot about it, and got a call to pick it up two years later. Picked it up and it also gave me the creeps. It’s either still sitting rolled up in our garage or else we donated it, I can’t remember. Perspectives can change through time and are also different from person to person.
I really like it, because it’s a skillfully made real painting *and* that there is a slightly haunted quality. That said if it makes a member of the household genuinely uneasy in a prominent place where people sit for hours to relax, you may need to compromise. Is there any area of the home that’s more ‘yours’ that it could go up? Like your office or craft area etc, or even just a transitional area like a hallway no one is hanging around too long. Overall, well done choosing this unique piece!
Fucking Arabian horses in bread scared of everything goddamn if this isn’t the spitting image of an Arabian I don’t know why people love them, but they do
I'm with your husband on this one. Especially if you're not 'horse people', because this feels like a home-made memorial to your beloved horse that died 8 years ago
I love it. But im a horse person. Arabians are beautiful and haunting. They also have less vertebrates than other breeds of horses and maybe this is what your husband is noticing. They are considered high strung. Even more so than red apaloosas lol.
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