The Art of Jeanne Mellin
Jeanne Mellin, Equine Artist
JEANNE MELLIN,equine artist, works in the English tradition of Herring, Stubbs and Munnings. Her paintings, prints and bronzes of horses and dogs are clearly linked to the tradition of realistic animal paintings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.Like many of the earlier English painters, Mellin's work often combines formalist composition with emotional intensity. Each of her animals is an individual in its own right. As Mellin says, "I try to get it so the animal will look as if it will move an ear, lift a foot."
Mellin's long and intense relationship with horses as a breeder, trainer and judge gives her a unique insight into the individual personalities of her subjects, no matter what their breed or dicipline. Her practical experience, her formal training at the Rhode Island School of Design, and her frequent painting trips to England have made her a remarkably successful equine portraitist.
Art by Jeane Mellin has been exhibited in England at the Tryon Gallery (London), the Kaiser Gallery (Cirencester), and the Cleveland Gallery (Bath). In the United States her work has most recently been exhibited at Saratoga, the Kentucky Horse Park and the American Morgan Horse Institute. In 1992 a limited edition of twelve bronzes of the famous Justin Morgan sold out before being advertised, and in 1990 a bronze of the Dutch Warmblood Preferent Stallion Roemer was cast by Mellin and presented to the Royal Warm-blood Studbook on the Netherlands by Roemer's owners. Art by Mellin is owned by some of the most important collectors of equine art in Europe and America today.
"Mellin's paintings resemble the realistic animal portrayals of the 18th and 19th century, especially the styles of Stubbs, Munnings and Herring."
Equim - The International Art News Update May/June 1992
"Ms. Mellin's style of work is reminiscent of the 19th century animal painters Herring and Landseer."
European Race Horse - London, England
"A specialist in commissioned portraits of stellar equines, Mellin caters largely to select international art circles."
Spur Magazine - July/August 1992
She specializes in equine portraiture in oil, gouache and colored pencil, and is available for work by commission.
