Study for Equestrian Monument

Solon H. Borglum (1868–1922) prepared this charcoal study for a monumental bronze equestrian sculpture. The drawing captures a mounted figure in classical pose, rendered with dramatic light and shadow that emphasizes the scale of the intended work. Borglum, brother of the more famous Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon, specialized in public sculpture and military monuments. This preparatory study demonstrates the sculptor's process: establishing compositional balance, spatial relationships, and the interplay of rider and horse before committing to the final bronze. The work reflects early 20th-century American taste for heroic public monuments celebrating military leadership and national identity.