A Ride Through Cultural History: The Significance of Horses and Donkeys in Art

This magnificent book is the result of Commandeur’s expertise and experience. His love for and knowledge of horses shines through on every page. It is informative without being pedantic and entertaining without being superficial. It is aimed at a wide audience, ranging from seasoned hippologists to horse lovers with no background in art history. It also appeals to readers like me, who have a professional or general interest in culture, art history, and natural history, but no specific knowledge of horses. I hope readers enjoy the book as much as I have.” ** Dr. Paul J. Smith (emeritus professor Leiden University, Centre for the Arts in Society) “Boudewijn Commandeur has a keen eye for the telling detail in a work of art, for the overlooked artist, and for the subtle connections among apparently dissimilar works. A lifelong horseman, he explains how equestrian practice is often reflected in the art of the day, and above all he shows us the sheer appeal of the horse for artists across the millennia.” ** Robin Bledsoe (independent scholar and bookseller, Cambridge, Massachusetts)