Ruiter laat zijn paard naar rechts traverseren 1669 - 1717

Dirk Maas created this image of a horse and rider performing a traverse, a complex equestrian movement. Observe the horse's posture. It’s not merely walking; it is engaged in a carefully controlled, lateral movement. This harks back to ancient Greek equestrian treatises, which emphasized not just riding, but the art of controlling the animal's body and spirit. The horse becomes an extension of the rider's will, a dance of power and precision. The rider, too, embodies control and elegance. His posture, his grip on the reins, all speak to the mastery of the horse. Equestrian statues of emperors throughout history aimed to evoke notions of dominion and authority. This image then is not just a portrait of a horse and rider; it is about man's eternal pursuit of order and command in nature, emotions, and, indeed, life itself. The symbol has since reappeared across multiple artworks and has become enmeshed with power.