3281 - MARINO MARINI

MARINO MARINI (Pistoia 1901–1980 Viareggio) Red Horse. 1950. Oil, enamel, and gouache on paper mounted on hardboard. Signed and dated lower right: MARINO 1950. 99.7 × 75.1 cm. Certificate: Fondazione Marino Marini, Pistoia, October 2026. Provenance: - Christie’s New York auction, November 14, 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 been exploring 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 World War II. 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, created around 1950. The startled horse throws its head sharply upward, while black strokes further emphasize 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. * Full tax is charged on this item marked with an asterisk (*); that is, VAT will be charged on the total amount but will be refunded to purchasers who provide a validly stamped export declaration.