Four Horses with a Shelter c. 18th century

Curator: Samuel Howitt's etching, "Four Horses with a Shelter," gives us a glimpse into a serene, if not slightly melancholic, pastoral scene. Editor: It does feel quiet, doesn't it? Almost like a hushed secret shared among the horses. The stark contrast of the black ink creates a sense of intimacy, drawing you closer to observe them. Curator: I am struck by Howitt's talent for capturing the horses’ musculature through just the etching technique; they seem to exist in this liminal space. Editor: Absolutely. I find myself pondering the lack of human presence, which leaves the horses to their own devices. What are they thinking? What stories do they hold within their powerful frames? Curator: Perhaps Howitt wanted us to imagine exactly that. It’s as though he gives the horses a space to ponder a bit. Editor: True. It’s a quiet marvel—a moment suspended in time that we get to witness, however fleetingly.