Twee paarden 1652

Karel du Jardin etched these two horses, portraying them in a moment of pastoral stillness. But within this calm, the supine posture of one horse carries a deeper symbolic weight. Across cultures, the horse has embodied vitality and strength. Yet, here, we see a disruption of this symbol. Consider the ancient Greek depictions of fallen horses, symbolizing mortality, or even the horses in Renaissance art evoking themes of decline. The act of reclining can suggest surrender or exhaustion, hinting at the transient nature of life. This posture taps into our collective memory, stirring subconscious thoughts about vulnerability and the inevitable end that awaits all living beings. The horse, in its fallen state, becomes a poignant reminder of our own mortality.