Studie af liggende hest 1864 - 1941

This is Niels Larsen Stevns's sketch of a horse, made in pencil, now held at the Statens Museum for Kunst. Look at how the horse is drawn reclining, its legs up in the air. The motif of a horse, often representing vitality and primal energy, has appeared throughout art history. This pose, however, disrupts such symbolism. The horse's unusual posture evokes vulnerability. One is reminded of ancient depictions of fallen warriors, their limbs scattered, symbolizing defeat and the transient nature of power. Consider the psychological impact of this inversion. A symbol of strength, now rendered helpless. It evokes a sense of empathy, perhaps even a recognition of our own fallibility. The image’s power lies not in its perfection but in its raw emotional honesty, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. It is a reminder that symbols, like memories, are fluid, constantly reshaped by time and experience.