Coupé 1850 - 1870

This print, "Coupé," was made by E. Howell around 1850 and captures a moment in the evolution of transportation. The image, dominated by the elegant form of a horse-drawn carriage, speaks to more than just technology; it evokes a sense of social status and personal journey. The wheel, prominently featured, has been a potent symbol throughout history. Think of the Wheel of Fortune, an ancient symbol of fate and cyclical change, or the Buddhist Dharma wheel, representing spiritual enlightenment. In this coupé, the wheel symbolizes movement and progress but also hints at the constant turning of social hierarchies. Even the enclosed carriage space has echoes in illuminated manuscripts, where the Virgin Mary is often shown protected within a sacred, architectural space. This visual motif connects the secular and sacred, imbuing the coupé with a subtle sense of protection and privilege.