L'Écurie 1847 - 1890

John-Lewis Brown created this etching, "L'Écurie," depicting horses in a stable using dark, shadowy tones. The horse, a symbol deeply embedded in the human psyche, has journeyed through millennia, carrying layers of meaning. Here, the horse evokes classical ideals of power and grace, reminiscent of equestrian statues of Roman emperors, symbols of dominion. Yet, it also hints at the more primal, untamed energy associated with the animal, a force that has coursed through mythology and folklore across cultures. Consider how the horse differs from its portrayal in, say, a medieval tapestry, where it might represent nobility and chivalry, or even further back, in prehistoric cave paintings, where its depiction might embody humanity's connection to the natural world. This echoes the cyclical nature of symbols, their meanings shifting and evolving, shaped by the currents of collective memory. The psychological resonance of the horse—as a representation of freedom, strength, and even the subconscious—continues to exert its pull on us, transcending time.