Horses have an undeniable relationship with people. They work with us, they give us huge amounts of joy as we ride them in some of the most stunning sceneries, we watch them race - and we even attempt to make money from them as we try our hand at horse racing betting. However, they are also beloved for the way they look - their elegance, rippling muscles and powerful hinds. They are real, living, breathing works of art.

Unsurprisingly, throughout the world of art history, horses have held a special place in the hearts of artists. They are subjects of inspiration - symbolising strength, grace and beauty. From ancient cave paintings to the most modern masterpieces, horses have always been an incredibly popular theme, capturing the imaginations of artists and audiences alike.

Here, we look at some of the most famous horse art that allows us to sit back and appreciate the beauty of the equine world.

Leonardo da Vinci's ‘Study of Horses’ (c. 1481-1482):
The great master himself wasn’t immune to the appeal of horses. Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci's fascination with anatomy and movement is perfectly portrayed in his ‘Study of Horses’.

Known for his in-depth observations, da Vinci's famous sketches perfectly reflect the grace and beauty of horses in different poses - and highlight his incredible understanding of both the physical and expressive qualities of these stunning creatures.

George Stubbs's ‘Whistlejacket’ (c. 1762):
George Stubbs was an 18th-century English painter who is famed for his equestrian art - with ‘Whistlejacket’ standing out as one of his masterpieces. The painting features the racehorse Whistlejacket in a rearing pose, and it manages to capture the spirit and energy of the horse perfectly. His expertise and attention to anatomical accuracy - with the use of a plain background, allows him to emphasise the horse's strength and power.

Théodore Géricault's ‘The Derby at Epsom’ (1821):
An incredibly popular work in equestrian art, Géricault's ‘The Derby at Epsom’ immortalises the dramatic chaos of a horse race. The crazed movement of horses and jockeys, along with Géricault's impressive use of light and shadow, creates a breathtaking depiction of the intensity and utter thrill of horse racing as it was during the Romantic era.

Edgar Degas's ‘At the Races in the Countryside’ (c. 1869):
Edgar Degas was famous for his depictions of horse racing scenes and ballet dancers, and he perfectly captures the elegance of country horse racing in ‘At the Races in the Countryside’. This piece of art manages to combine the dynamism of the race with Degas's renowned attention to human figures, creating a superb balance between the horse and human elements.

Rosa Bonheur's ‘The Horse Fair’ (1852–1855):
French artist Rosa Bonheur's ‘The Horse Fair’ is a fantastic work of art that reflects her deep love of string and beautiful horses. This huge painting, which depicts the energy and intensity of a Parisian horse market, has established Bonheur as a leading female artist in a male-dominated art world. The way she has meticulously rendered every single horse shows a real dedication to anatomical precision.

Pablo Picasso's ‘Guernica’ (1937):
Although this isn't specifically a horse-focused piece, Picasso's work of art is a powerful anti-war mural that features a distressed horse as its central symbol. The agonised and distorted form of the horse manages to symbolise the suffering and chaos that is brought about by war, which was particularly poignant after WW1, in which many innocent horses were killed because of the sins of man. This masterpiece is still used as a commentary on the brutality of war and its impact on innocent beings… such as horses.

Mark Wallinger's ‘The White Horse’ (1997):
Last on our list, we have contemporary artist Mark Wallinger and his installation ‘The White Horse’, which is an incredible representation of a racehorse in motion. Suspended from the ceiling, this amazing life-sized sculpture manages to capture the ethereal quality of a galloping horse, so you can appreciate every intricate detail of its form from all different angles.

Horses are, no doubt, stunning animals. As such, it is no surprise that they are the perfect subjects for works of art. From the mastery of Leonardo Da Vinci to the gritty reality of Picasso’s war horse, their form, grace, and elegance continue to capture the imagination of artists and art lovers across the globe.