Cavaleriepaard en een lancier 1834 - 1898

This pencil drawing by Cornelis Albertus Johannes Schermer depicts a cavalry horse and a lancer, a scene brimming with martial symbols. The horse, a timeless emblem of power and nobility, is here bridled by a soldier, representing the harnessed might of the military. Consider the symbolic weight of the horse, a motif that gallops through art history. From the equestrian statues of Roman emperors to Renaissance battle scenes, the horse embodies strength and dominance. Here, its restless stance suggests barely contained energy. The presence of a sword hanging loosely hints to potential conflict. The rider in the background suggests imminent military action. These evoke a primal response, tapping into our collective memory of conflict and defense. This image is not just a depiction of a soldier and his horse, but a powerful evocation of the readiness to war and defense. Such scenes, repeated across centuries, form a visual language that speaks to our deepest instincts.