Warhorse and the end days of painting – 2026

Oil on canvas. H76 x W91 cm

The warhorse is derived from the early renaissance artist Donatello’s 1453 equestrian sculpture of the mercenary soldier Erasmo Stefano known as Gattamelata (the honeyed cat). In this age of uncertainty, the warhorse is an apt symbol of the times. The horse has stepped-out of the linen support (canvas) behind it, it’s left front foot poised over a Rubik’s cube. This symbolizes the modern era’s enigma – to be resolved. We are reminded of the age-old rivalry, the paragone, of different renaissance art forms. In this contemporary image it’s painting vs. sculpture vs. pixels (the 3D cube). The ‘illusionistic’ linen (canvas) is presented here, having itself escaped its traditional presentation, on a stretcher within a frame (https://victorgordon.com/art/untitled-ii-1979-2023/). To the left, a partial view of another conceptual piece (Fissured landscape – 2026), is seen hanging on the rich textured gallery wall.

Conceptualism, De-contextualization and Hard-Edge were the thing in 1970’s art schools. Bring back the good old bad days….