Beschreibung:

Hans Baldung (German, 1484-1545)Group of Seven Wild Horses (Bartsch 56)
Woodcut, 1534, on heavy laid paper, a good but later impression, some wormholes and cracks to the block, with some small pen and ink addition, thread margins
Sheet 212 x 328mm (8 3/8 x 12 7/8in)FootnotesHans Baldung was a painter and engraver apprenticed to Albrecht Durer in 1503-1507 and became an extremely skilled woodcut artist. In 1534 he produced three woodcuts of equestrian subjects which are unlike anything else in his oeuvre. Two are offered here, depicting stallions competing for a female and dominance within the herd; the third depicts a stallion rejected by a mare.
The subject matter and compositions are unusual and without precedent. Although horses were considered to be noble beasts carrying warriors into battle, they have also been regarded as symbols of lust and it is this baser instinct on display here. In the second image Baldung has included a monkey, also symbolizing lust, and a human figure, underlining the correlation between animal and human behaviour.
The artist emphasizes the intensity of these encounters by filling the frame, whilst the exaggerated animated poses convey the urgency and ferocity of overwhelming carnal impulses. Baldung was interested in exploring human passions and the fragility of human nature and these works can be seen as an allegory of human lust, uncontrollable and often unsatisfied.Read MoreAdditional informationAuction informationBuyers' ObligationsALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.Buyers' Premium and ChargesFor all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows: Buyer's Premium Rates
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and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.Payment NoticesFor payment information please refer to the sale catalog.Shipping NoticesFor information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.Lot Symbols*Import low rateVAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.Related DepartmentsPrints & MultiplesAuction ViewingsLondon, New Bond Street24 June 2023, 11:00 - 17:00 BST25 June 2023, 11:00 - 17:00 BST26 June 2023, 09:00 - 18:00 BST27 June 2023, 09:00 - 12:00 BSTConditions of SaleView Conditions of Sale