# Hitching Post

**Albert Ryder** (American, 1911–2001)  
c. 1938  
watercolor and graphite on paper  
overall: 42.5 x 30.9 cm (16 3/4 x 12 3/16 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1943.8.17002. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.29093.html).

## About this work

Albert Ryder painted this in about 1938, aged 27. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The sculpture is a depiction of a horse's head crafted from a dark material that appears to be metal. The horse's ears are perked up, and its mane is depicted with smooth, curving lines trailing down the back of the neck. The sculpture includes a ring that extends from the horse's mouth. Positioned on a simple cylindrical pedestal, the sculpture's material and design suggest a robust and timeless feel. The details of the horse's expression and mane are rendered with a smooth finish.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Watercolour.** Pigment in gum arabic, thinned with water and laid in transparent washes. Nothing white is painted: the light is the paper showing through.
- **Graphite.** Pencil. Graphite has been used for drawing since the 1500s; in 1795 Nicolas-Jacques Conté mixed it with clay, so its hardness could be graded.

### [Albert Ryder](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/albert-ryder)

American, 1911–2001

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- The artist was 27
- Real size: about 17 × 12 in (43 × 31 cm). The 12 × 16 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 20th century
- Movement: [American folk and design](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/american-folk-design)
- Colour: white
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1455.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1455/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/hitching-post-nga-29093).