Wild Horse 1828

Eugène Delacroix rendered "Wild Horse" in lithograph, a printmaking technique, sometime in the early 19th century. Delacroix was a leading figure in the Romantic movement, which emphasized emotion, individualism, and the power of nature. During this era, the image of the horse carried layers of meaning. As a symbol, the horse represented freedom, untamed nature, and virility. The Romantic artists turned to animals, and especially the figure of the horse, to express their feelings. The animal became the materialization of their own unbridled emotions. Here the animal rears up; a dark background obscures its location. The horse bristles with tension and power. Do you feel its energy, its raw, untamed spirit? As we reflect on Delacroix's "Wild Horse," we can consider how representations of animals often reflect our own desires and projections. What aspects of human experience does this wild horse evoke for you?