This painting depicts two people balancing on a running horse. The horse is mid-gallop, heading to the left, with a red cloth on its back and a silver halter on its face. It is a rich brown color, with a short mane. Standing on its back is a person with short, curly blond hair and pale skin, wearing a pale-yellow tunic or dress with puffy sleeves, silver embellishments, and white tights. They are standing with one arm extended to the side and the other raised, and one of their legs is slightly bent. On their shoulder stands a much smaller person with the same skin, hair, and pale-yellow…
Gallery mode Full size at the museum

Window mode follows your eyes with your camera, in this browser only: no picture or position leaves your device.

The Mounted Acrobats

American 19th Century

1825 or after

Medium
oil on wood
Classification
Painting
Dimensions
overall: 40.3 x 47.6 cm (15 7/8 x 18 3/4 in.) ; framed: 54.1 x 62 x 6 cm (21 5/16 x 24 7/16 x 2 3/8 in.)
Culture
American
Museum
National Gallery of Art, CAB
Credit line
Gift of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch
Rights
Public domain (NGA Open Access, CC0), as the museum states it.
Who can see it
Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed

View at the National Gallery of Art