Geneva artist Jacques-Laurent Agasse specialised in depicting animals from a young age. Since he partly grew up in the countryside, he got to observe horses and dogs in their natu¬ral environment. In a portrait painted by his childhood friend Firmin Massot, Agasse can be seen sitting in his studio with animal studies in the background and a bulldog by his side. In-cidentally, the bulldog was painted in by the subject, that is, Agasse himself.

Agasse learned how important precise drawing and a careful study of nature was from fa-mous history painter Jacques-Louis David, with whom he studied in Paris for three years. He later became acquainted with Lord Rivers, who became his patron and brought him to Eng-land. There, he regularly exhibited at the Royal Academy and, following in the footsteps of George Stubbs, became the most talented horse painter of his time. Even the royal family was among his clients.

Our painting Grey Horse in the Meadow is an impressive example of Agasse's talent – and one of the artist's major works. This horse must have been a very special grey horse, de-picted here so proudly and majestically. The masterful execution of the horse's shimmering silver body and the elegance of its stature, emphasised by its mane and docked tail, turn the painting into a true equine portrait. The simple, monochrome background further emphasises the cool noblesse of the animal.

According to tradition, the painting exhibited in Winterthur was owned by Lord Rivers, so it may have been painted on commission for him. It probably depicts his favourite horse or a successful winner of the legendary derbies. It was possibly painted in the summer of 1806, when Agasse stayed for a while at Lord Rivers' estate in Hampshire at his invitation. There, the artist created a whole series of horse paintings that reflect both his passion for animals and his talent for this genre.