Rustende paarden op een manoeuvreterrein c. 1882 - 1912

George Hendrik Breitner sketched "Resting Horses on a Training Ground" with pencil, capturing a fleeting moment. Observe the horses, symbols of strength and vitality, at rest. Throughout history, the horse has been a potent emblem, linked to war, aristocracy, and untamed nature. Consider the equestrian statues of Roman emperors or Renaissance princes—the horse elevates its rider, projecting power and authority. Yet here, the horses are still, their energy momentarily checked. This reflects a modern sensibility. The contrast between the horse’s inherent vigor and its subdued state in Breitner’s sketch evokes a psychological tension. It’s as if the collective memory of the horse’s dynamic role is consciously suppressed. Such depictions remind us that symbols are never static; they evolve, accumulating new layers of meaning with each age. Breitner's resting horses invite us to contemplate the cyclical nature of symbols and the interplay between our conscious and unconscious understanding of them.