A Cart with Two Horses near a Windmill 

David Cox's sketch captures a pastoral scene dominated by the stoic presence of a windmill. The windmill is not merely a structure; it's a symbol of human ambition, harnessing nature’s power. The image is populated with a horse, a cart, and a lone figure. The horse, burdened with a cart, echoes images of labor and endurance found across cultures, from ancient Roman mosaics to medieval tapestries. The figure accompanying the cart evokes the eternal dance between humanity and the land. This motif of the worker alongside their beast of burden has ancient roots. Consider its appearances in Egyptian tomb paintings, or even classical Greek friezes, the theme resurfaces, each time reflecting humanity’s complex relationship with nature and labor. It's a symbol etched in our collective memory, reminding us of our dependence on and struggle with the natural world. Such archetypal imagery resonates deeply, tapping into subconscious recognition of our shared human experiences. Cox's sketch then, becomes more than just a scene, it is a window into our collective past.