All on Hobbies, Gee Up, Gee Ho!

William Hart, 1838

MEDIUMLithograph, hand-colored
DIMENSIONSsheet: 10 7/8 x 18 9/16 in. (27.7 x 47.2 cm)
LOCATIONThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
COLLECTIONDrawings and Prints
CREDIT LINEThe Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund and Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, by Exchange, 1970

This early work by William Hart, usually known for his landscapes, is a vibrant political satire. Look closely at the exaggerated figures on hobby horses and the bustling crowd to appreciate its humor and detail.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

In "All on Hobbies, Gee Up, Gee Ho!," William Hart captures a lively, satirical scene, a far cry from the serene landscapes he would later become known for. This hand-colored lithograph, created when Hart was just fifteen, depicts a chaotic political procession. Figures on hobby horses, with exaggerated features and expressions, parade through a bustling street, their movements suggesting a frenzied, almost farcical energy. The hand-coloring adds a vibrant, almost theatrical quality to the scene, highlighting the individual characters and their elaborate costumes. This early work offers a fascinating glimpse into a different facet of Hart's artistic output, showing his engagement with social commentary and caricature before his focus shifted to the tranquil American landscapes of the Hudson River School.

ART MOVEMENTS
Hudson River School
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

1

The varied expressions on the faces of the hobby horse riders.

2

The intricate details of the costumes and banners.

3

The small, humorous interactions between figures in the crowd.

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Audio Deep Dive

This early work by William Hart, usually known for his landscapes, is a vibrant political satire. Look closely at the exaggerated figures on hobby horses and t…

Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST
William Hart 1823–1894 · United States

William Hart, a Scottish-born American landscape and cattle painter, became a prominent figure in the Hudson River School, known for his atmospheric depictions of light and shadow.

Read William's full story in Art Whisper
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