Changing Horses at a Post House in France c. 1790

Thomas Rowlandson sketched this lively scene in France using pen and watercolor. The figures appear agitated, even grotesque; they seem to embody a chaotic energy that is both humorous and unsettling. Note the cross on the right; this symbol, central to Christian iconography, marks a site of suffering and salvation. Yet here, it seems almost incidental, overshadowed by the frantic activity around the post house. Consider the motif of the horse; traditionally a symbol of nobility and power, it's here depicted in a state of change, being replaced. This reflects a broader cultural shift in eighteenth-century Europe, where old hierarchies were being challenged by new social forces. These recurring motifs serve as potent reminders of our shared cultural memory, where symbols evolve, adapt, and resurface in unexpected forms.