The Black Horse 1883

Georges Seurat created the oil on wood painting *The Black Horse*. It is currently located at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh. Seurat painted this piece during a period of immense social change in France, as rural communities migrated to urban centers seeking opportunities. The late 19th century was a time when traditional class structures were being challenged, and new forms of social identity were emerging. Note how Seurat captures a scene of leisure along a riverbank. The figures are deliberately ambiguous, their identities blurred by his technique, which could be seen as a commentary on the changing social landscape. The painting encourages us to reflect on the impact of industrialization on the working class, who sought respite in nature. Ultimately, *The Black Horse* serves as a poignant reminder of the human desire for connection and escape amidst profound societal shifts, and invites us to consider the stories of those who were caught in the crosscurrents of history.