'Voor Maron' (to Maron), Julia Pankras's dream on horseback

'Voor Maron' is an act of artistic love to Maron, a French trotter whom the Dutch artist Julia Pankras met when she started riding at the age of 7 and made her fall in love with the world of horses forever.

The story of the painting is that of the relationship between Julia Pankras and the horses that began as a child with Maron, and as we know 'first love is never forgotten'.

Maron was not a popular horse amongst the other riders, because he was difficult to catch in the pasture and he spooked a lot. But he was not like this with Julia, so very quickly he became her favourite horse and not much later also her ‘lease’ horse.

“We were a comic duo, because he was quite large for me. I could not even reach the stirrup with my foot to get on, so I had to use my knee instead. Neither his height or his spooky behaviour mattered to me, because I felt safe with him and I like to think he also felt safe with me. He became the catalyst to my love for horses, and I am thankful for that. Maron became the example to which all other horses I met later in life had to live up to.
To express my gratitude, this painting is all about him and my relationship with him. “

The feeling of safety and solidity between the horse and the child is central in this piece and is expressed through a few different elements.

First of all, horse and child have both their eyes closed. They entirely trusted each other so they didn’t need eyes. His trust is reciprocal which is shown in his turn by also having his eyes closed, but also resting his hindleg which is a sign of relaxation.

Lastly, the head of the horse in surrounded by an aureole. Going back centuries, the aureoles show the viewer who is sacred within the scene.

“I see horses as sacred beings or saints, and Maron is no exception. Saints are always there for you, no matter where you are. So just like Maron is no longer with us now, I am sure he is around in another way.’

Although I have been drawing horses basically all my life, I started to take drawing more seriously about 4 years ago. During this time, I was struggling with university and life in general, so I turned to drawing regularly once again as a means to process my emotions.

I realized how much I had missed drawing, and I decided to create an Instagram account to connect with other equine artists. I discovered an open community of like-minded people where I could safely share my creations and progress.
 Then, only two years ago I finally picked up a paintbrush. My wish to immortalize the grace of the horse on canvas had been pulling at me for some time, at last I decided to take the leap. Forever inspired by horses, I aspire to capture their essence. This includes their strength in determined brushstrokes and their kindness through soft hues. The worth of the horse as an individual being is generally taken for granted. My paintings emphasize their worth and offer the horse the pedestal they deserve but are too often excluded from.  

Julia Pankras. 1999. Dutch
IG: juliapankras_equineart

‘Voor Maron’ (‘To Maron’). Acrylic on canvas board 24 x 30 cm

Julia Pankras is a member of the Paard Verzameld Collective. Through international collaboration between Paard Verzameld and the Horse Museum Foundation, the painting will be exhibited during the Pratoni del Vivaro World Championships in September 2022.