Wild Horses 1965

Robert Goodnough's "Wild Horses" is an explosion of color, rendering these majestic creatures in a style that evokes movement and energy. The horse, a symbol of untamed power and freedom, has galloped through human imagination for millennia. From the Paleolithic cave paintings of Lascaux, where horses appear as essential life forces, to the steeds of ancient Greek gods, these animals carry a profound cultural weight. We see them again in the Renaissance, harnessed to chariots of triumph, and even in Delacroix’s romantic visions of equine dynamism. Consider the psychological allure of the horse. Its wildness represents our own primal instincts, a desire for freedom, yet when tamed, it embodies control and mastery. This duality is potent, engaging our subconscious desires for both liberation and order. Goodnough's horses are not bound by realistic depiction; instead, they are fragmented and vibrant, capturing the essence of untamed vitality. The spirit of the horse, so deeply embedded in our collective memory, continues its non-linear journey, adapting and evolving in the hands of each artist, reflecting our ever-changing relationship with nature and freedom.