Design for an Equestrian Statue in a Cartouche (recto); Sketches for a Frieze with Sea-Shells and Floral Ornament (verso). 1652 - 1725

This drawing by Giovanni Battista Foggini captures the essence of power and glory through its central motif: an equestrian figure framed within a decorative cartouche. The horse rearing—a symbol of vitality and dominance—immediately calls to mind countless Roman emperors immortalized in bronze. Consider the enduring power of this image, echoed through time in works like Marcus Aurelius' statue. The horse becomes a vessel carrying the ruler's authority and a symbol of their command over not only the earthly realm but also their own primal instincts. But what drives the choice of the rearing horse? Perhaps it is an echo of mythical creatures like Pegasus, or the horses of Helios, which, subconsciously, links the ruler to divine power, embedding in the viewer an emotional response of awe. The image continues to evolve in diverse cultural contexts, yet its core message remains: the potent, almost primal assertion of leadership.