Kolonel der Veld Artillerie 1835 - 1850

Albertus Verhoesen rendered this watercolor of a Field Artillery Colonel sometime in the 19th century. Notice the horse, an ancient symbol of strength and vitality, standing beside the officer. The horse motif is prominent here, and not just as a beast of burden. Its representation throughout history carries the weight of power, status, and freedom. Think of the equestrian statues of Roman emperors, or Renaissance princes proudly mounted atop their steeds. The horse transcends mere transportation; it embodies authority. The horse can also be linked to the archetypal images of centaurs, creatures that represent the dual nature of man. In myth, they symbolize the human struggle between intellect and instinct, further imbuing the horse with complex psychological undertones. The horse remains an evocative symbol, still stirring something primal within us. Its recurring appearance is less a linear progression and more a cyclical return to core human ideas about power, nature, and our place within the world.