Stallion And Mare 1936

Harry Newman Wickey's print of a stallion and mare captures a fraught moment where man meets animal, rendered in shades of gray. Wickey, born in 1892, lived through a period of enormous change in American society. His images often wrestle with the relationship between humans and the natural world. Here, two handlers struggle to control powerful horses. The animals' raw energy is palpable, their bodies straining against the reins. Look at the tension etched in their muscles and the earth churning beneath their hooves. The image asks us to consider themes of dominance and control. Who has the upper hand? What does it mean to tame such creatures? Wickey's choice of black and white adds to the drama, heightening the contrast between light and shadow. It creates a stark and unforgiving vision of rural life, capturing a moment that is both beautiful and unsettling. It reflects the ongoing negotiation between humankind and the animal kingdom.