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‘The Frightened Horse’ - Black basalt Plaque - 1780
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‘The Frightened Horse’ - Black basalt Plaque
© Wedgwood Museum
Although George Stubbs was best known for his equestrian subjects, he was also an accomplished modeller of bas reliefs. In 1780 he modelled, from his own engraving of ‘The Lion and the Horse’ this relief plaque became known as ‘The Frightened Horse’. The scene has proved very popular, and has been re-created several times since the eighteenth century, usually in black basalt, though rare jasper examples are known.
Although George Stubbs was best known for his equestrian subjects, he was also an accomplished modeller of bas reliefs. In 1780 he modelled, from his own engraving of ‘The Lion and the Horse’ this masterly relief scene that has become known as ‘The Frightened Horse’. Although Josiah was not too pleased at the actual subject matter of a horse being stalked by a lion, he was greatly surprised at the mastery of the subject as produced by Stubbs, and his quick adaptation to the use of potters’ tools. On 1st August 1780 clay tablets had been prepared for Stubbs to produce his initial model on, and by the 13th the subject of the ‘Frightened Horse’ had been chosen. Wedgwood wrote on that day – ‘…he [Stubbs] is now laying in the horse whilst I am writing a few letters this good Sunday morning.’ By the 21st Stubbs had completed the model, and Josiah was writing to Thomas Bentley promising a copy – ‘…very soon either in blue & white [jasper], or to save time in one colour.’ The ‘one colour’ referred to was black basalt. The subject has proved to be enduringly popular and has appeared at regular intervals since the eighteenth century. This black basalt version dates to 1952.
- Type of object: Plaques and medallions/plaque
- Mark: Wedgwood THE FRIGHTENED HORSE BY GEORGE STUBBS [Incised]
- Year first produced: 1780
- Body: Black basalt
- Material: Ceramic
- Decoration: Moulded
- Accession number: 5561
- Dimensions: 220mm (height), 375mm (width), 25mm (depth)
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George Stubbs
Artist
George Stubbs - Artist
George Stubbs was born in Liverpool in 1724. He pursued not only a painting career, but also produced a most important anatomical work ‘The Anatomy of the Horse’ published in 1766. Before 1770 his scientific curiosity led him to the study of painting in enamel colours. Stubbs first came into contact with Wedgwood in his search for a different medium on which to try these colours. In 1775 his quest had come to the attention of Thomas Bentley, Wedgwood’s ornamental ware partner, and Wedgwood was initially most enthusiastic about the proposal to produce ceramic ‘tablets’, or plaques, for Stubbs to decorate. The firing of such large, flat ceramic objects necessitated a modification of the kilns at the factory, but eventually, as a direct result of this association, a considerable number ceramic plaques or ‘canvasses’ in a white terra cotta body were supplied by Wedgwood to Stubbs thus forming a ‘unique alliance’. Stubbs visited the Wedgwood family in 1780, staying for several months during the summer. During this time he produced various artistic works including the famous Wedgwood family portrait and the remarkable twin portraits of Wedgwood and his wife Sarah. These were painted in enamel colours on Wedgwood ceramic plaques – made especially by the factory for this purpose. In addition Stubbs modelled two bas reliefs – ‘The Frightened Horse’ and the companion piece ‘The Fall of Phaeton’. The strength and vigour of the modelling of both subjects by Stubbs make the two subjects amongst the most notable bas reliefs produced by the Wedgwood factory.
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