Equestrian Portrait of Don Juan de Austria 1648

Jusepe de Ribera etched this equestrian portrait of Don Juan de Austria around 1648. At its heart, the rearing horse—a classical symbol of power, authority, and nobility—looms large. This motif gallops through history, recurring in Roman equestrian statues and Renaissance paintings alike, embodying the ruler's dominion over his realm. Consider how the horse, an untamed beast, is brought under the control of man, mirroring the ruler’s control over his subjects. We can see echoes of this powerful symbolism even today. Think of monuments where leaders are depicted on horseback, a visual shorthand that transcends centuries. The image of the horse connects us to primal emotions tied to control and authority. It stirs something deep within our collective memory, a subconscious recognition of power dynamics represented through the ages.