Paard voor een kar 1834 - 1911

This sketch of a horse before a cart was made by Jozef Israëls. Observe the horse, an archetypal symbol deeply rooted in the human psyche, representing not only physical labor but also freedom, power, and the untamed aspects of nature. In ancient Greece, horses were closely associated with Poseidon, the god of the sea, and in other mythologies, they often appear as solar symbols, drawing the chariots of the gods across the sky. Now, consider how this symbol has evolved. In medieval tapestries, horses were depicted carrying knights into battle, embodying chivalry and martial prowess. Yet, here, in Israëls' sketch, the horse is reduced to its most basic function: pulling a cart. This reduction reflects a shift in societal values. The horse no longer symbolizes nobility or divine power but represents the realities of labor and the everyday. The persistent image of the horse in art and culture underscores our complex relationship with nature, and the continuous negotiation between freedom and servitude.