Horseman on a track, near Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire 

David Cox painted this watercolor of a horseman near Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire. The rider and horse serve as powerful symbols, evoking images of nobility and transit. The figure on horseback carries echoes of classical equestrian statues—think of Marcus Aurelius—but here, the rider seems less a conqueror, more a traveler or messenger. Across cultures, the horse symbolizes power, freedom, and virility, its domestication marking a turning point in human history. This pairing can be traced back millennia, evolving from symbols of royalty to emblems of exploration and trade. Consider how this motif resonates differently in, say, a Renaissance painting versus a nomadic steppe culture. The image engages on a deep level with the emotional resonance of journeys and the human connection with animals. It is a cycle, this symbol of the horse, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and adapting across time.