Raimond Lecourt (1882-1946) - Horse Head Dated 1909

Raimond Lecourt (1882-1946)
Horse's Head

Oil on canvas mounted on panel, 28 x 24 cm
Signed and dated "1909" at the lower left

Provenance:
Private collection

Raimond Lecourt, a French painter from Le Havre, was a significant figure in the first half of the 20th century. Trained in the academic tradition, he distinguished himself through his mastery of animal subjects and genre scenes, positioning his work in the lineage of the great naturalist painters of his time. This study of a horse's head is a perfect example: painted in 1909, it reveals a sharp sense of observation and a skilled execution that captures the calm strength of the animal.

In this painting, Lecourt employs a warm palette dominated by shades of brown and ochre to faithfully render the texture of the coat and the softness of the gaze. The fluid, expressive brushwork breathes life into the material, while the refined background, treated in subtle gradients of blue and white, highlights the nobility of the animal. The expression of the horse is particularly remarkable: its gaze, both calm and attentive, testifies to the artist's sensitivity in capturing the soul of his subjects.

At the beginning of the 20th century, animal painting experienced a revival, carried by painters such as Rosa Bonheur and Édouard Detaille, whose influence can be seen in Lecourt’s work. However, Lecourt brings his own vision, marked by delicacy and spontaneity. His naturalist approach, free from excessive idealization, sincerely conveys the essence of the animal.

The choice of a modest format, 28 x 24 cm, gives the work an intimate, almost confidential character, strengthening the connection between the viewer and the subject. The signature and date at the lower left indicate the importance Lecourt placed on this study, likely preparatory for a larger composition.
This painting elegantly illustrates the artist’s love for the animal world and confirms his place among the great painters of the French figurative tradition.