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Post by clw on Apr 29, 2007 12:05:49 GMT -6
I think the four matched stockings (knee high or even higher) probably simply had as much appeal to the Indians as they still have to people today. For four, or even two, white stockings to match is relatively unusual. The western folks call it 'chrome' and when a horse with high stockings moves it produces an exceptionally pretty look because of the flash. But I am going to have a conversation with some friends about the curlys and I'll ask about color too. Off the top of my head I'd guess that if an Indian preferred a certain color or markings it would have to do with personal medicine. I have heard that a white/grey horse was usually preferred by holy men.
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Post by elisabeth on Apr 29, 2007 15:17:01 GMT -6
That would be great to kmow.
What's intriguing is that for whites it seems to have been the opposite. There's the old horseman's mantra about white socks/stockings: "One, buy him, Two, try him, Three, suspect him, Four, reject him" -- at odds, it would seem, with the Indian view ...
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Post by tassiewolf on Apr 29, 2007 15:34:00 GMT -6
Sorry a bit late coming into this. In Waterloo Belgium they have a large cyclorama depicting Marshall Neys charge into the British squares, perhaps something like that could be done. All though there would be an arguement over how it is meant to look by the various factions LOLO
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Post by elisabeth on Apr 29, 2007 15:52:50 GMT -6
Yes, I've seen that, and it's gorgeous -- though as Mike (mcaryf) has pointed out elsewhere, the overall impression given at Waterloo is that the French won! (You have to go a least 5 miles up the road to find a humble tin shack commemorating Wellington's part in the affair ...)
But yes, it's high time for a new cyclorama of LBH. In fact, it could be great to have a computer-generated one with alternative versions of how it played out -- so that we could see which was the most convincing. Terrific idea!
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Post by clw on Apr 30, 2007 5:40:38 GMT -6
What's intriguing is that for whites it seems to have been the opposite. There's the old horseman's mantra about white socks/stockings: "One, buy him, Two, try him, Three, suspect him, Four, reject him" -- at odds, it would seem, with the Indian view ... Pretty sure that mantra refers to white feet not white markings. A light colored hoof is often not as strong as a dark one. Having said that, a white leg often has a white foot but not always.
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Post by elisabeth on Apr 30, 2007 6:26:20 GMT -6
Interesting. Had never heard that interpretation; here, I'm almost sure it's just markings, and taken as an indicator of temperament -- at least that's what I've always been told. (Wondered for a moment if there might be a difference between UK and US interpretations, but it seems not; Elizabeth Atwood Lawrence in His Very Silence Speaks takes it to be markings, too ...) I can see the logic re hoof colour -- whereas the markings thing is really more like a supersition.
Though sometimes markings can be a guide. I've noticed myself that a horse with a very crooked blaze often seems to have a temperament to match ... But maybe that's just the ones I've met!
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Post by clw on Apr 30, 2007 6:47:39 GMT -6
I have a friend who has trained TBs for the track all her life and she swears that if they have two colicks (sp?) -- whorls on their forehead (most have only one) they're mean and stubborn. We are a superstitious lot. ALWAYS put your left boot on first!
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Post by markland on May 14, 2007 8:04:32 GMT -6
Sorry to get on-topic but I spotted this review of Mulvaney's LBH painting this morning. The reviewer was Walt Whitman. Billy www.bartleby.com/229/1233.html
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Post by Montana Bab on May 22, 2007 21:53:53 GMT -6
Billy,
That was an interesting and vividly detailed review of the painting by Mulvaney. To think that a gentleman like Walt Whitman would spend an hour gazing on that painting is fascinating.
I have always wondered why the artist made the particular choice of placement of the horse's head on the steed standing next to Custer. Their two heads seem to touch each other. A rather curious pose.
Montana Bab
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Post by elisabeth on May 23, 2007 8:00:43 GMT -6
Yes, it is odd. Perhaps it's something as simple and prosaic as covering up a mistake in the background! But my guess would be that it draws attention to the threat coming from all sides. Most of the cavalry figures have their gaze directed forwards, towards the viewer. The horse -- with the "almost human" look of terror that Whitman writes about -- points us to the hordes coming from behind. (But that's just my guess.)
Interesting, though, that Mulvany's avoided placing Custer as a solitary figure at the centre of the piece as so many later artists did/do. He's at the centre, but not elevated to supremely heroic status over the others around him. In that way, it's quite a democratic piece: every soldier, and even every horse, given equal emotional weight. Nice.
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Post by Montana Bab on May 23, 2007 11:11:02 GMT -6
Hi Elizabeth, Those are valid thoughts about the positioning of the head. And I'll concede that the noise, and wild activity of that battle would cause any horse to go crazy. I always got tickled at the pictograph of Yellow Nose in the heat of retrieving the guidon, his horse looked like it was doing cart-wheels! And it may very well have been a real depiction of the event. What's so wonderful about the art of LBH is that the renderings are totally from imaginationing what occurred. Some artists really excelled, but even those who weren't so gifted left a visual version worth viewing. I have found something unique in every one I've viewed. The ones that I don't enjoy are the ones that have the figures so stilted and inactive. I can't imagine anyone standing and looking around on that day! Nice target Bab
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Post by KarlKoz on May 24, 2007 7:07:55 GMT -6
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Post by harpskiddie on May 24, 2007 9:30:30 GMT -6
I hate to admit that this is the first time I've seen a color reproduction of this work [not being a big aficionado]. Thank you, KarlKoz.
Does anyone wanna go halfers with me on the quarter scale canvas print? We can ship it back and forth alternate years.
Gordie, I want money, honey - that's what I want..................................................
ps - Does that expression in the gray's eye suggest the question to the trooper: "Hey, who said you could hide behind me?!?!?"
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Post by KarlKoz on May 24, 2007 11:50:07 GMT -6
It also looks like "Vic" is giving GAC a "noogie"!
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Post by Montana Bab on May 25, 2007 1:01:42 GMT -6
KarlKoz,
Likewise, that's the first color version of that painting I've seen. Thanks for posting it. I must say, the detail is greater than I ever noticed, I just couldn't get past that "noogie" the horse is giving GAC! (Nice description BTW). Welcome to these boards. Montana Born and Bred
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