Paard sleurt gevallen ruiter mee c. 1825 - 1827

Bernard Édouard Swebach created this print depicting a horse dragging a fallen rider. Here, we see the raw power of the horse, a symbol deeply rooted in human history as both a tool and a partner. Consider the horse not just as a beast of burden, but as an archetype of untamed energy. This contrasts sharply with the fallen rider, embodying vulnerability and the precariousness of human control over nature. Think of the countless depictions of equestrian dominance from Roman statues to Renaissance paintings. Yet, here, the dynamic is inverted. This image taps into a primal fear: the loss of control, the fragility of our dominance over the natural world. It’s a visceral reminder that even our most trusted allies can turn against us, reflecting a subconscious anxiety about the unpredictable forces that govern our lives. It's a theme that recurs throughout art history. The symbol of the horse evolves constantly, a testament to its enduring presence in our collective psyche.