Emaciated Horse (recto); Frontal View of a Horse (verso) n.d.

Curator: Charles Jacque’s rendering of an *Emaciated Horse*, drawn with charcoal, graphite, pencil and chalk, certainly grabs your attention with its stark realism. Editor: My first reaction is definitely somber. The gauntness is striking. You see the horse's ribs so clearly. It speaks volumes about hardship. Curator: The image possesses a palpable sense of suffering. It resonates on a symbolic level, too, reminding us of vulnerability and mortality, as horses in art frequently represent power and nobility, now in decay. It calls to mind the allegorical use of animals in morality tales or fables. Editor: From a material perspective, consider Jacque's choices. The texture of the paper itself, combined with the rough strokes of charcoal, contribute to the worn, almost distressed feel. The medium definitely enhances the message. You have to wonder what cheap material supports the art; and who consumes art on this support. Curator: That’s true. And beyond just technique, the subject matter connects deeply to the tradition of memento mori – reminders of our own inevitable end. Perhaps a meditation on the transience of beauty and strength? There is, indeed, something iconic here. It reminds us that time affects everyone. Editor: And it affects everything around us! From Jacque himself to those who owned horses and livestock to everyday life; to then thinking about why we remember certain experiences. What did Jacque and others in that historical time actually encounter and go through with horses, and can the art somehow help us understand the impact of all things "horses." Curator: It’s fascinating how an artwork focusing on a single animal can conjure such varied interpretations about existence and endurance. Editor: I agree. Looking at this drawing reminds us that we also gain a new lens to what surrounds an artistic choice, opening an interesting lens into our current present as well.