Plate X 18th-19th century

Curator: I find myself immediately drawn to the horse with its head lowered, grazing, seemingly oblivious to the activity around it. Editor: This is "Plate X" by Jacques-Francois-Joseph Swebach, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. There's a wonderful sense of dynamism within its simple lines. Curator: Yes, the raised whip contrasted with the grazing horse speaks to the dual nature of human-animal relationships, reflecting a power dynamic that's both necessary and a little unsettling. Editor: The horse as a symbol... It's always been a powerful representation of strength, freedom, but here, it also seems like a commentary on the taming of nature. The open landscape allows the figures of horses to reflect status. Curator: Indeed, it’s a reminder that even symbols of freedom can be bound by the needs and desires of others. Editor: It makes you wonder about the stories of each horse. Curator: True. Even these fleeting sketches hint at narratives that span centuries.