Grazend paard en een man met een hoed en wandelstok Possibly 1858 - 1859

Here is a drawing by Johannes Tavenraat featuring a grazing horse and a man with a hat and walking stick. The horse, a symbol of vitality and untamed nature, has been revered across cultures, from its association with Greek gods to its role as a noble steed in countless tales of chivalry. Consider how the image of the horse evolves; initially, it represents power and freedom, but here, it is depicted in a moment of tranquility, grazing peacefully. This evokes a sense of domesticity and perhaps even vulnerability. Think of the horse in motion, like the steeds in Delacroix's paintings, bursting with energy, versus this quiet scene. The man with the hat and stick is a recurring motif that reflects our eternal search for balance. The hat is a symbol of status and the stick represents support but here these icons are rendered in a very simple way. Note how the collective memory of our subconscious mind affects our interpretation of the motif. This simple drawing engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level by bringing forth the emotional and psychological weight of these symbols. The horse grazing and the man are cultural memories that continue to resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different contexts, reflecting our changing relationship with nature.