Illustration to the Iliad 1795

John Flaxman created this Illustration to the Iliad with etching, presenting a scene imbued with classical symbolism. The horses, powerful and majestic, draw a chariot across the composition. The horse motif appears in various forms throughout history, from ancient Greek friezes to Renaissance paintings. Its cultural significance evolves, yet retains associations with virility and freedom. Consider the steeds of St. Mark's Basilica, their gilded surfaces reflecting a Byzantine splendor, or the dynamic horses in Gericault’s Riderless Racers at Rome. Each representation carries its own historical and emotional weight, a layering of meaning over centuries. This image evokes powerful psychological responses. The figures' gestures and expressions resonate with deep human emotions that transcend time. The horse, in its recurrent symbolic role, continues its cyclical journey through art.