Title: Cavalry Charger
Artist: Susan James
About This Piece: This commanding hand-colored intaglio etching by Susan James, titled "Cavalry Charge," transforms the carousel horse into a regal U.S. Cavalry mount. The dark horse is richly adorned with gear evocative of a 19th-century military steed. It is fitted with a historically accurate McClellan-style saddle, recognizable by its distinctive open seat and high pommel. Dangling beneath the saddle is a sword encased in its scabbard, further emphasizing the martial theme. The horse sports a highly decorated breastplate and crupper, both embellished with small shields that James has finished with a delicate overwash of metallic silver watercolor paint, adding a subtle gleam to the military trappings. The horse is mounted on the artist's signature red-and-white spiral pole and captured in a dynamic, ready-to-charge pose, making the etching a striking blend of historic military hardware and nostalgic fairground fantasy.
Cavalry Charger is part of a five-horse series, which includes: Outside Jumper, Outside Stander, Top Knot, Rodeo, and Cavalry Charger. The full classic set of seven carousel images includes two menagerie animals: “Merry Goes Round” (deer), and “Macabilly” (goat). In 2024, Susan created a re-imagination of these five horses, and an additional four more, in the El Camino photogravure series. “El Camino” (The Path) is also the title of a larger image of all nine carousel horses who have broken free of the carousel.
Medium: Hand-drawn, hand-colored line etching
Printmaking Process: hand-printed intaglio etching
Ink/Paper Combination: Sepia ink printed on Rives BFK paper.
Image Size: 9.75 x 7.75 inches
Paper Size: 14 x 11 inches
Edition Start Date: 2004
Edition Size: No more than 100 original prints plus 10 Artist Proofs.
All prints are signed, numbered, and titled in graphite pencil by the artist. All images come with a Certificate of Authenticity, which includes the artist’s signature, a detailed description of the edition, and the Passerina Press seal embossed on gold seal in right-side corner.
Edition Number of This Piece: 1/100
Mat and Frame Description: 8-ply white mat mounted over print margins, revealing the characteristic embossing of the intaglio plate. Surrounding frame is cherry-stained hardwood. Frame color emphasizes the red elements of the artwork.
Outer Frame Dimensions: Approximately 19 x 16.5 inches
Title: Cavalry Charger
Artist: Susan James
About This Piece: This commanding hand-colored intaglio etching by Susan James, titled "Cavalry Charge," transforms the carousel horse into a regal U.S. Cavalry mount. The dark horse is richly adorned with gear evocative of a 19th-century military steed. It is fitted with a historically accurate McClellan-style saddle, recognizable by its distinctive open seat and high pommel. Dangling beneath the saddle is a sword encased in its scabbard, further emphasizing the martial theme. The horse sports a highly decorated breastplate and crupper, both embellished with small shields that James has finished with a delicate overwash of metallic silver watercolor paint, adding a subtle gleam to the military trappings. The horse is mounted on the artist's signature red-and-white spiral pole and captured in a dynamic, ready-to-charge pose, making the etching a striking blend of historic military hardware and nostalgic fairground fantasy.
Cavalry Charger is part of a five-horse series, which includes: Outside Jumper, Outside Stander, Top Knot, Rodeo, and Cavalry Charger. The full classic set of seven carousel images includes two menagerie animals: “Merry Goes Round” (deer), and “Macabilly” (goat). In 2024, Susan created a re-imagination of these five horses, and an additional four more, in the El Camino photogravure series. “El Camino” (The Path) is also the title of a larger image of all nine carousel horses who have broken free of the carousel.
Medium: Hand-drawn, hand-colored line etching
Printmaking Process: hand-printed intaglio etching
Ink/Paper Combination: Sepia ink printed on Rives BFK paper.
Image Size: 9.75 x 7.75 inches
Paper Size: 14 x 11 inches
Edition Start Date: 2004
Edition Size: No more than 100 original prints plus 10 Artist Proofs.
All prints are signed, numbered, and titled in graphite pencil by the artist. All images come with a Certificate of Authenticity, which includes the artist’s signature, a detailed description of the edition, and the Passerina Press seal embossed on gold seal in right-side corner.
Edition Number of This Piece: 1/100
Mat and Frame Description: 8-ply white mat mounted over print margins, revealing the characteristic embossing of the intaglio plate. Surrounding frame is cherry-stained hardwood. Frame color emphasizes the red elements of the artwork.
Outer Frame Dimensions: Approximately 19 x 16.5 inches
