First Design of a Battle Scene 

Here we see Robert Smirke's initial sketch of a battle scene, rendered with delicate lines. The dominant visual symbols are of conflict: figures clashing, horses rearing, and weapons raised. This reflects a timeless human fascination with battle as a crucible of heroism, savagery, and fate. Consider the fallen horse, an age-old motif. We see it echoed in ancient Roman battle reliefs, and even in Delacroix's later depictions of revolutionary conflict. It signifies not just defeat but also the chaotic collapse of order. It speaks to a primal fear of being overwhelmed, mirroring the anxieties of societal breakdown. The chaotic lines of the sketch evoke the raw, unfiltered emotion of conflict, engaging the viewer on a visceral level. This symbol, the fallen horse, reminds us that history is not linear. These echoes across centuries remind us of how we strive to make sense of violence, continually revisiting and reinterpreting its meaning.