Rijtuigen onder Charing Cross Bridge te Londen 1888 - 1890

Willem Witsen sketched these carriages under Charing Cross Bridge in London using what seems to be charcoal on paper. The most striking element is the horse, rendered with a dynamic energy, a motif that echoes across centuries. Consider the equestrian statues of antiquity, symbols of power and triumph, or even the mythical centaur, bridging the human and animal worlds. Here, the horse is harnessed, its energy directed and controlled. This image evokes the complex relationship between humans and nature. The rhythmic repetition of the wheel, a symbol of progress and modernity, further emphasizes this tension. The wheel, an ancient invention, appears in mandalas representing cosmic order or as a symbol of cyclical existence in various cultures. Witsen captures a moment in time and connects it to the eternal dance of progress and tradition. The subconscious pull of these symbols engages us, drawing us into a deeper understanding of our shared human experience.