From a Moment on an Icelandic Road to an Original Oil Painting
The Gilded Horse Commissions Icelandic Artist Thorgrimur Einarsson to Capture the Spirit of the Icelandic Horse
A Chance Encounter Near Skógafoss
In the summer of 2018, Mitch Allen, co-owner of The Gilded Horse, luxury equestrian jewelry brand rooted in the heritage of Kentucky’s horse country, was driving along Iceland’s southern coast near the iconic Skógafoss waterfall when something unexpected brought him to a stop. A herd of Icelandic horses had spilled onto the road, galloping freely alongside his car, their windswept manes framing the dramatic landscape of moss-covered mountains and overcast skies. Allen reached for his camera and captured the scene. It was a raw, unscripted moment of equine beauty that would stay with him for years.
The original photograph captured by Mitch Allen near Skógafoss, Iceland, 2018.
“It was one of those moments you don’t plan for,” recalls Allen. “The horses just appeared out of nowhere, completely unbothered by the cars, running with this incredible energy against the backdrop of the Icelandic landscape. I knew instantly it was something special.”
From Photograph to Fine Art
In 2025, Allen and The Gilded Horse partnered with Horse Polo Art Gallery, the international gallery founded by Katerina Morgan, to turn the 2018 photograph into a fine art painting.
Katerina Morgan has built a strong reputation for working closely with collectors and brands who share a passion for horses. Through her gallery, she connected The Gilded Horse with the right artist for this project: Thorgrimur Einarsson.
Thorgrimur, born in Reykjavík in 1980, is known for his painterly realism and his deep connection to Icelandic horses and landscapes. His style felt like a natural fit for the piece. He paints in an alla prima approach, working wet-on-wet, which gives his work a direct and expressive quality. His paintings have been exhibited at galleries across Iceland, Denmark, and the United States.
The Artist’s Process
Working from Allen’s original photograph, Einarsson began with pencil sketches, focusing on the three main horses. Once he moved to canvas, he built the painting in stages.
He started with a warm underpainting to set the structure. From there, he added confident, loose brushwork using both brushes and palette knives. Greens, siennas, and cool grays came together gradually, shifting the image away from a simple record of a moment into something more emotional and atmospheric.
The painting in progress on the easel in Einarsson’s studio.
The goal was not just to recreate the scene, but to capture how it felt to stand there.
The final painting is an oil on canvas that feels both grounded and alive. Three Icelandic horses move forward through a bright green field, with a dark volcanic mountain rising behind them. The brushstrokes are bold but controlled, giving the scene energy without losing its calm presence.
It transforms a single moment into something timeless.
The completed commissioned painting by Thorgrimur Einarsson, oil on canvas, 2025.
Where Luxury Meets Living Art
The Gilded Horse has always been rooted in craftsmanship, from fine jewelry in 14K gold and sterling silver to carefully designed pieces inspired by the equestrian world. Working with KaterinaMorgan.art allows that same attention to detail and artistry to move into fine art, creating a more complete and thoughtful experience for its collectors.
“At The Gilded Horse, we admire artists of all kinds, whether they are jewelers, painters, or sculptors,” says Allen. “This collaboration with Katerina Morgan and Thorgrimur Einarsson celebrates the natural connection between art and the equestrian world. It also allows us to share that connection with our customers in a more meaningful way.”
Founded by Katerina Morgan, Horse Polo Art Gallery represents more than 50 contemporary equestrian artists working across a range of styles, from realism to semi-abstract art. The gallery is known for bringing together collectors, brands, and artists, and for arranging commissions internationally. Its collaborations include respected names such as HSBC, the museum of Beyer Watches and Jewelry of Zurich, Hurlingham Polo Association, etc.
This project also opens the door to future collaborations between The Gilded Horse and Katerina Morgan. Both share a clear vision and a sensitivity to craftsmanship, and their work together will continue to explore the elegance and presence of the horse through art and design.
About The Gilded Horse
The Gilded Horse is a luxury equestrian jewelry brand handcrafted in the USA, offering 14K gold and sterling silver necklaces, earrings, and bracelets inspired by the grace, freedom, and strength of horses. Rooted in Kentucky’s rich equestrian heritage, The Gilded Horse creates timeless pieces designed for women who move with purpose—from barn mornings to elegant evenings. The brand’s signature collections include the iconic Circle Medallion and the Classic Anchored Pendant.
Website: thegildedhorse.com | Instagram: @thegilded_horse
About Thorgrimur Einarsson
Thorgrimur Einarsson is an Icelandic artist born in Reykjavík in 1980. Working in the alla prima style of painting, he expresses his subjects in what he describes as painterly realism, maintaining an emphasis on accurate drawing, values, and color to capture his subject with honesty and emotional impact. His work has been exhibited internationally, with solo and group exhibitions.
Artist profile: katerinamorgan.art/pages/thorgrimur-einarsson
