Bijzondere tijgerschimmel met gezicht op Delft 1745

This engraving by Johann Elias Ridinger depicts a so-called tiger horse against the backdrop of Delft. Notice the striking spots, a pattern reminiscent of a tiger's stripes, which lent the horse its exotic appeal. This motif of the spotted animal is an ancient one, found in Paleolithic cave paintings. Think of the Dalmatian dog, often seen as a symbol of loyalty, or the leopard, associated with Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy. The spots, seemingly random, hold a primal fascination. They tap into our collective memory, evoking the wild, untamed aspects of nature. This horse, with its unusual markings, becomes more than just an animal; it becomes a vessel for our subconscious associations, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols to stir deep-seated emotions and cultural memories. Its appeal lies in its power to tap into humanity's fascination with the wild and untamed. Over time, the symbolism of spotted animals has ebbed and flowed, resurfacing in various cultural contexts, each time imbued with new layers of meaning.