Toeing the Line (ascot) 

Byam Shaw painted this image of horses and jockeys in the early 20th century, and it is filled with symbols of status and spectacle. The horse, throughout history, has been a potent emblem of power and aristocracy. Consider the equestrian statues of Roman emperors, their control over the animal mirroring their dominion over the empire. In this painting, the thoroughbred horses, carefully bred for speed, are lined up, a moment pregnant with anticipation, mirroring the human desire for triumph and dominance. The jockeys, clad in bright silks, evoke images of medieval tournaments, where knights displayed their colors and competed for glory. This display of wealth and competition evokes deep, subconscious emotions – the thrill of victory, the fear of defeat, the primal urge to be at the front. The horse race, a ritual played out across centuries, tapping into our collective memory of struggle and success, of the relentless pursuit of the finish line. This cyclical progression, the ever-present horse, and its rider, has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings, yet it remains a potent symbol of human ambition.