About this artwork
Charles B. Newhouse created this watercolor painting of ‘The Dover Express’ sometime in the 19th century. Note the prominent display of the horses, symbols of virility and untamed power, pulling the stagecoach. The motif of horses in motion, as depicted here, carries echoes of equestrian statues of Roman emperors, symbols of power and control. Yet, while the Romans sought to convey authority, here, there is an evocation of speed, progress, and the dynamism of modern life. This archetype of harnessing animal vigor to convey human intent has evolved from symbols of dominance to emblems of progress and connectivity. The spirited horses resonate with a psychological imperative: the human drive to overcome limitations. This potent symbol, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, engages us on an emotional level, stirring primal instincts and desires. Just as the horse evolved from beast of burden to a symbol of prestige, so to can symbols resurface, transformed by time and circumstance, carrying us forward on the currents of cultural memory.
The Dover Express
1832
Artwork details
- Medium
- drawing, print, gouache, paper, watercolor
- Dimensions
- 191 × 262 mm
- Location
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Copyright
- Public Domain
Tags
drawing
water colours
narrative-art
gouache
landscape
paper
handmade artwork painting
watercolor
england
water
cityscape
watercolour illustration
genre-painting
mixed media
watercolor
Comments
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About this artwork
Charles B. Newhouse created this watercolor painting of ‘The Dover Express’ sometime in the 19th century. Note the prominent display of the horses, symbols of virility and untamed power, pulling the stagecoach. The motif of horses in motion, as depicted here, carries echoes of equestrian statues of Roman emperors, symbols of power and control. Yet, while the Romans sought to convey authority, here, there is an evocation of speed, progress, and the dynamism of modern life. This archetype of harnessing animal vigor to convey human intent has evolved from symbols of dominance to emblems of progress and connectivity. The spirited horses resonate with a psychological imperative: the human drive to overcome limitations. This potent symbol, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, engages us on an emotional level, stirring primal instincts and desires. Just as the horse evolved from beast of burden to a symbol of prestige, so to can symbols resurface, transformed by time and circumstance, carrying us forward on the currents of cultural memory.
Comments
Be the first to share your thoughts about this work.