The Climbing of the Capitol with the Grey Horse of the Newly Elected Pope 1650 - 1674

Johannes Lingelbach painted "The Climbing of the Capitol with the Grey Horse of the Newly Elected Pope" using oil on canvas. The horse, prominently displayed, is laden with symbolic weight. Since antiquity, equestrian statues have been emblems of power and authority. From the Roman emperors to Renaissance leaders, the mounted figure has signified control and triumph. This image echoes the classical form, yet here, the grey horse ascends to a religious, not imperial, power. Consider the horse of Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice; that prancing bronze embodies worldly power and victory. Yet, observe how in Lingelbach’s depiction, the horse—draped and processional—transitions towards spiritual authority. This reflects a deep cultural memory where symbols adapt, carrying forward echoes of past meanings into new contexts. The collective psyche is a powerful force. Lingelbach's grey horse is an example of how cultural symbols evolve, accumulating layers of meaning that resonate across time.