Paard aangevallen door een panter en twee ruiterstandbeelden 1850s

This print by Simon Braun depicts a horse attacked by a panther and two equestrian statues. Horses, throughout time, have symbolized power and virility, appearing frequently in triumphal processions and royal portraits. Notice how the rearing horse is a prominent motif across cultures, from ancient Greek sculptures to Renaissance paintings, often representing dominance or resistance. Consider the emotional charge of this image: the horse, caught in the throes of a predatory attack, evokes primal fears of vulnerability and mortality, tapping into our deepest subconscious anxieties. The representation of rulers on horseback, as shown in the equestrian statues, links back to the Roman emperors, their statues serving as potent symbols of authority and imperial might. This motif has been resurrected repeatedly by monarchs and leaders across history. These symbols are not static; they transform, adapt, and resurface in new forms, constantly renegotiating their meaning.