Two Horses 1850

Charles Meryon created this print, “Two Horses,” in the 19th century using etching. Meryon, who spent time as a sailor, had a difficult life and was eventually institutionalized. In this scene, a fallen horse lies prone on the ground, its body lifeless. Another stands nearby, head hung low, in an attitude that borders on mourning. The image is not just about death; it evokes a sense of empathy and shared suffering. Horses in the 19th century were closely linked to labor. These animals, often symbols of strength, were essential to agriculture, transport, and even warfare. The print asks us to consider the lives of these creatures, and perhaps, by extension, the lives of the working class of the time. It suggests an alternative narrative that acknowledges the vulnerability and shared fate of both humans and animals. Meryon may be inviting us to see the world through a lens of compassion, acknowledging our shared mortality.