Turkse paarden 1835

This drawing, "Turkse paarden" at the Rijksmuseum, captures the magnificent figures of Turkish horses with a rider, rendered with stark detail. The rearing horse, a powerful symbol of virility and courage, dominates the scene. This motif echoes through art history, from classical equestrian statues to Renaissance battle scenes. Consider the horse as a psychical metaphor: its rearing posture can convey triumph, aggression, or even wild abandon. We see it in the dreams of antiquity, a symbol of untamed instincts. But how has this symbol been passed down through history? Initially a sign of nobility, the image has transformed in modern times to represent a primal desire for freedom, and the conquest of the Self. It becomes a potent, recurring dream, expressing our deepest, often contradictory, urges. Such powerful imagery is cyclical, resurfacing across cultures and epochs, each time infused with the ever-changing emotional landscapes of its era.