Wall or Ceiling Decoration with a Young Man (Phaeton?) in a horse-drawn Chariot 1700 - 1800

This small watercolor and pen drawing depicts a classical scene with a young man driving a horse-drawn chariot across the sky. He is likely Phaeton, son of Helios, the sun god. In mythology, Phaeton disastrously attempts to drive his father’s chariot, losing control and scorching the earth. The image, though small, is charged with potent symbolism. Horses, from the Parthenon frieze to Renaissance tapestries, often embody untamed power and elemental forces. The chariot—a symbol of triumph and control—is here threatened by the driver’s inexperience, a visual premonition of Phaeton's fall. The theme of Icarus, the fall of man, and hubris has appeared and reappeared throughout art history, from classical sculptures to modern paintings. We see it manifest across cultures, embodying a deep-seated fear of overreach, and reflecting the constant human struggle to balance ambition with caution. These symbols speak to our collective memory, where ancient myths continue to resonate, guiding our understanding of human nature and destiny.