Dimensions: 60x80cm
Painted: 2009
Materials: Acrylic on MDF board
Private collection
The story behind Bernardini
Bernardini was one of the most celebrated American racehorses of his era — a dominant performer who won the Preakness Stakes in 2006 and was widely considered among the finest thoroughbreds of his generation. The source image came from Bluebloods magazine, May 2009, and captures him mid-stride at the Breeders’ Cup, every tendon and muscle in the horse’s body under full extension.
This was a commissioned work. The commissioner’s instructions were to copy the photograph exactly, which was done. When the painting was finished, the instructions changed — the horse’s name, visible on the saddlecloth, was to be painted out. That was done too. Payment never came.
It is a very good painting of a very good horse, and I ended up with a painting that I would noramlly never have done. These things happen in the life of an artist who takes commissions. They also tend to stop happening once you’ve been burnt badly enough.
Source image of realism painting Bernardini
