Man Sitting Side-Saddle on a Draught Horse - Alfred Ost

A 1939 watercolour and ink study by Alfred Ost depicting a man riding a heavy draught horse, rendered with fluid lines and a muted palette.

This work by Alfred Ost, dated 1939, captures a moment of rural life with the artist's characteristic economy of line. Ost, a Belgian draughtsman and painter, frequently turned his attention to the everyday scenes of his homeland, often focusing on the relationship between humans and animals. Here, the subject is depicted riding a heavy draught horse in a side-saddle position, a posture that adds a sense of unusual stillness to the powerful animal.

The composition relies on fluid ink outlines that define the muscular form of the horse and the posture of the rider. The application of watercolour is restrained, providing subtle tonal shifts that suggest the weight and texture of the horse's coat without obscuring the underlying sketch. In the background, the faint suggestion of a sailing vessel hints at a coastal or riverside setting, grounding the scene in the geography of the Low Countries.

Ost's approach to form is direct and unadorned. He avoids unnecessary detail, preferring to capture the essence of the movement and the physical presence of the subjects. The work reflects a period in his career where his style became increasingly simplified, favouring expressive gestures over academic precision. The palette remains muted, dominated by earth tones that mirror the subject matter, while the ink work provides a rhythmic quality to the entire piece. This print offers a clear view of Ost's ability to imbue a simple observation with a distinct sense of character and local atmosphere, typical of his broader body of work documenting the customs and daily activities of the Belgian people during the early twentieth century.