Grazend paard naar links 1780 - 1855

Jan Dasveldt created this small etching of a grazing horse facing left. The horse, a symbol of strength and freedom, lowers its head to graze, its posture a universal sign of tranquility and connection to the earth. The image of the horse has galloped through centuries of art, from the dynamic steeds of ancient Greek friezes to the powerful warhorses of Renaissance paintings. Consider, for instance, the horses in Paolo Uccello’s “The Battle of San Romano,” where they convey both the chaos and the grandeur of conflict. Even in the Paleolithic cave paintings at Lascaux, the horse was represented as a symbol of power. In Dasveldt’s etching, this energy is subdued, yet it remains palpable. The horse is grounded, its head bowed in humble nourishment. Perhaps this image reflects a deeper, collective memory of our bond with nature, a primal longing for harmony and simplicity. The horse, through its persistent presence in art, reminds us of our enduring, subconscious connection to the natural world.