#24389 Jose De Togores

The composition presents a scene centered around working horses and their handlers, set against a backdrop of a weathered building. The palette is dominated by earthy tones – ochres, browns, and muted yellows – which contribute to the overall sense of labor and hardship. Light appears diffused, lacking strong contrasts, which flattens the perspective and emphasizes the figures solidity rather than spatial depth.
Here we see two horses positioned prominently in the foreground. Their muscular forms are rendered with a focus on volume and texture, suggesting their strength and importance to the depicted activity. The artist has chosen to depict them from behind, obscuring their faces and emphasizing their role as beasts of burden. The handlers – a group of men – are arranged around the horses, engaged in what appears to be grooming or tending. Their postures are varied: one sits passively, another leans against a wall, while others appear actively involved with the animals. The figures bare torsos and simple clothing reinforce their working-class status and connection to physical labor.
The building behind them is rendered as a series of rectangular shapes, its surface rough and textured, suggesting age and neglect. A dark opening in the structure serves as a visual anchor, drawing the eye into the background but offering little detail. The overall effect is one of enclosure and confinement, hinting at a limited existence.
Subtly, the painting conveys themes of toil, resilience, and the relationship between humans and animals. The lack of individualization among the figures suggests a collective experience – a shared burden borne by those engaged in manual labor. The horses, though powerful, are ultimately controlled and utilized, symbolizing both strength and subjugation. The muted color scheme and flattened perspective contribute to an atmosphere of quiet dignity amidst hardship, avoiding sentimentality while acknowledging the inherent difficulties of their lives. There is a sense of timelessness; the scene could be set in any era where animal power was essential for work.