Cavalry Skirmish n.d.

Guillaume Courtois rendered this ‘Cavalry Skirmish’ with pen and brown ink, heightened with white gouache, on paper. The raised sword, a dominant symbol here, transcends mere warfare, echoing the ancient gesture of triumph and power. From Roman emperors to Renaissance heroes, this motif resurfaces, each time imbued with fresh cultural significance. Consider the Winged Victory of Samothrace, where a goddess raises her hand in a similar gesture of triumph. Yet, here, amidst the chaos of battle, the raised sword becomes more complex. It speaks to a collective memory of conflict, evoking primal fears and subconscious associations with dominance and survival. The emotional depth conveyed through this single gesture is a powerful force, engaging viewers on a visceral level. The skirmish is a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of conflict. The symbol of war resurfaces and evolves, gaining new meanings in different historical contexts.