A Horse Affrighted at a Lion 1788

George Stubbs captured this scene of terror and raw instinct, featuring a horse recoiling from a lion, using etching and engraving techniques. The horse, a symbol of purity and nobility, is here confronted by the lion, a primeval emblem of untamed power. This contrast taps into a deep, ancient fear. We see echoes of this dynamic in myths across cultures, from the Cretan Lion tamed by Heracles to Daniel in the Lion's Den. The horse's frantic posture speaks to a primal anxiety, a visceral dread mirrored in the wide eyes of the lion. The motif of a predator confronting its prey stirs something elemental in our collective unconscious. It is a reminder of the precarious balance between order and chaos, civilization and the wild, forever imprinted in our cultural memory. This image engages us on a subconscious level, triggering an emotional response that transcends time.