He defends himself well, plate 78 from The Disasters of War Possibly 1815 - 1863

Francisco de Goya created this etching, plate 78 from *The Disasters of War*, using etching and aquatint techniques. Here, a horse, the traditional symbol of nobility and strength, is set upon by a pack of dogs, in a raw and visceral depiction of conflict. The horse's desperate struggle for survival speaks to the vulnerability of even the most powerful entities when faced with relentless aggression. The image resonates with similar motifs throughout art history, where animals are used to symbolize human traits and societal dynamics. Think of the lion as a symbol of courage or the lamb as innocence. This motif connects to ancient myths where animals embody human virtues or vices, reflecting the Jungian archetypes of the collective unconscious, where primal fears and instincts are expressed. The depiction of the horse, noble yet threatened, evokes an emotional response, a visceral understanding of struggle and survival. It's a symbolic commentary that persists, reappearing across time, reminding us of the cyclical nature of conflict and the enduring human struggle for survival.