Paarden 1778 - 1838

Anthonie van den Bos’ etching presents us with the pastoral scene of horses in a landscape. Horses, throughout history, have carried a symbolic weight far beyond their physical presence. These animals, noble and strong, were once exclusively associated with royalty and the upper classes, evoking themes of power, freedom, and virility. In the classical world, we see the horse as a key attribute of gods like Poseidon, its image deeply entrenched in myth and legend. Yet, here, these horses are mere livestock. I am reminded of equestrian statues from antiquity, and later, the Renaissance. But how different is the intent. Here, instead of celebrating military might, this work captures a simple moment in the Dutch countryside, a departure from classical heroism. Consider too how this domestication of the heroic symbol reflects a broader shift, as the symbol of the horse evolves, echoing a new emphasis on the everyday and a growing separation from ancient aristocratic ideals.