Luigi XIV, or who I assume to be Luigi XIV, rides a horse that looks wild, as if it is about to take a leap. Its back legs are bent and its front legs are outstretched; its head is wheeling back with its eyes wide open, and its mane flies around its neck. The terracotta that the sculpture is made of has left swirling textures around the horse’s muscles, and volume in the mane and tale. The horse is frozen in a state of movement, and looks as though it would start to gallop away if given the chance. Luigi XIV, on the other hand, looks poised and in control, a look of serious determination on his face. He keeps his balance though he does not grip the horse in any way. Instead, his right arm is stretched downwards, gripping tightly to a small pole of some sort, making his joints look tense. His left arm is bent upwards, and over it folds a cloth that wraps around his body and ends in his lap, the folds blowing backwards in the wind. His face is framed by long, wavy locks, which are carved into the terracotta in such a way that they seem to be slightly wind-tousled. His eyes are looking away from the horse, as if into the far of distance. His chest is bare, though under the cloth on his lap you can see hints of armor. On his feet, too, are warrior’s sandals. He seems overall unconcerned with the wild nature of his horse.
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