3281 - MARINO MARINI

MARINO MARINI (Pistoia 1901–1980 Viareggio) Cavallo rosso. 1950. Oil, enamel and gouache on paper laid down on hardboard. Signed and dated lower right: MARINO 1950. 99.7 × 75.1 cm. Certificate: Fondazione Marino Marini, Pistoia, October 2026. Provenance: - Auction Christie’s New York, 14 November 1996, lot 318. - Private collection, Switzerland. We thank the Fondazione Marino Marini for confirming the authenticity of the work. The horse is the central subject of Marino Marini’s oeuvre. Inspired by Etruscan and medieval art, he had explored this subject since the 1930s. While his early horse figures from the pre-war years still appear harmonious, almost archaic, his visual language changed under the impact of the Second World War. The animals became increasingly agitated, their postures more tense and their forms more expressive. Shaped by the horrors of war, the horse became a symbol of fear and loss of control. This development is particularly evident in the present work on paper, executed around 1950. The startled horse throws its head sharply upwards, while black strokes further emphasise the restless position of its legs. The vivid red and rivulets of paint heighten the dynamism of the composition and are characteristic of Marini’s expressive style during this period. * The full tax is charged on this item marked *, i.e. VAT is charged on the sum will be refunded to Purchasers providing a validly stamped export declaration.