Twee soldaten te paard op weg 1811 - 1867

This etching by Christiaan Wilhelmus Moorrees depicts two soldiers on horseback, pulling a wagon along a path towards Roosendaal. Observe the horse, a symbol deeply embedded in the human psyche. From the steeds of classical gods to the warhorses of medieval knights, the horse represents power, freedom, and virility. Here, these horses are tamed, harnessed to a mundane wagon, their powerful symbolism muted by military duty. Yet, the echo of their wilder counterparts persists. Consider the recurring motif of the horse in art – from the dynamic energy of Delacroix’s romantic depictions to its representation of unbridled passion in mythology. Even here, in this relatively unassuming scene, the subconscious recognition of the horse's primal energy engages us, stirring a deeply rooted fascination with its untamed spirit. The symbol of the horse continues its cyclical journey through history, adapting to new cultural landscapes.