In my piece, The Horse Must Go On, the generalization and quick brushstrokes provide movement and the illusion of speed in my oil painting. In the turbulence, a jockey has fallen off their horse and is depicted on the ground at the moment of their impact. I am fascinated by the danger the Palio poses, as the rider reveals their strong desire to maintain traditional rivalries and civic identity despite the perils they may face. With the great reward of winning the Palio comes the significant risks for both the jockey and rider. While I was painting the fallen rider, I was imagining how the wind would have been knocked out of their lungs when they hit the ground and the disappointment knowing that they had let their contrade down. The riderless horse runs on through the darker-purple hues of the ground, reflecting the sombre mood of his rider.
Dimensions of Work: 152.40 x 76.20 x 3.81 cm
