Horse (Cavallo) 

Editor: Here we have Marino Marini’s "Horse", rendered as a monochrome print. The horse itself is quite angular, almost blocky in its form, with these contrasting tones laid over a smoky, textured ground. There's a certain stoicism or perhaps even melancholy I read in its posture. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Immediately, I see echoes of ancient equestrian symbols. Think of the power horses held in mythology – strength, nobility, freedom, but also sacrifice, a carrying of burdens. Marini reduces the form to its essence, almost like an artifact. Does the heavy ground perhaps signify an obstacle, a weight? Editor: It's interesting you say obstacle. I hadn't considered that. Curator: Consider how often the horse is paired with a rider in Marini's work. Here, it stands alone, stripped bare. It becomes an emblem, charged with cultural memory. Are we seeing the imprint of war, perhaps? The aftermath? Look at how the textures seem scarred, wounded. What feelings do these textures elicit for you? Editor: A sense of unease, certainly. The rough texture coupled with the simplified form definitely steers me away from any romantic interpretation of the horse. Curator: Precisely! It’s a potent reminder of the power of symbolism and how artists can channel cultural narratives to provoke deeper emotional and psychological reflections. So, where do we land with this lone horse? Editor: I think I see a powerful visual metaphor of resilience after something catastrophic now, stripped back but still standing, bearing the marks of survival. Thank you for broadening my interpretation.