#10319 Simonides

Here we see a pastoral scene rendered in a simplified, almost geometric style. Three equine figures dominate the composition, positioned within a field of vibrant green. The artist has eschewed detailed rendering; instead, forms are defined by broad planes of color and stark contrasts between light and shadow. This reductionist approach lends the work an air of abstraction while retaining a recognizable subject matter.
The palette is limited but effective. The greens of the field vary in tone, creating a sense of depth and texture despite the lack of traditional perspective. The horses themselves are depicted with earthy tones – browns, blacks, and a striking orange – that contrast sharply against the verdant background. This color separation emphasizes their presence as distinct entities within the landscape.
The composition is notable for its flatness. There’s little sense of spatial recession; the figures appear to occupy a single plane. The horses are arranged in a somewhat haphazard manner, each engaged in the simple act of grazing. Their heads are bowed, suggesting tranquility and absorption in their immediate surroundings. This lack of dynamic action contributes to the overall feeling of quietude and stillness.
The dark background serves as an isolating frame, further emphasizing the figures within. It creates a sense of enclosure, almost as if the scene is contained within a stage set. The absence of any other details – no trees, buildings, or human presence – focuses attention solely on the horses and their environment.
Subtly, there’s an underlying tension between the simplicity of the forms and the intensity of the colors. While the subject matter evokes a sense of rural peace, the starkness of the execution hints at something more complex – perhaps a meditation on form, color, and the essence of natural existence stripped bare of sentimentality. The work seems to be less about depicting a specific place or moment, and more about exploring fundamental visual elements through a simplified representation of nature.