Paarden bij een aanlegplaats aan een waterkant c. 1886 - 1888

Here, Anton Mauve sketched ‘Horses by a Landing Place on a Waterfront’ in pencil. Observe the horses standing at the water's edge, their forms reflected in the tranquil water. The horse, throughout history, symbolizes vitality and untamed power. We can trace this animal back to antiquity, such as the Greek steeds pulling the sun god Helios's chariot across the sky, or as the embodiment of military might, bearing warriors into battle. The presence of horses often evokes ideas of freedom, movement, and strength. Consider the way the horse has transformed from a symbol of pagan energy to a motif of nobility. Its presence here, in this humble waterfront scene, engages our subconscious with its deep-rooted symbolism. It reminds us how art serves as a conduit for the transmission and evolution of cultural symbols, inviting us to connect the past and present.