Jazdecká hliadka 1944

Here we see Cyprián Majerník's "Jazdecká hliadka," or "Riding Patrol," a painting depicting soldiers on horseback under a muted sky. The horse, of course, has long been a symbol of power, virility, and control. Across millennia, we see this motif re-emerge: from the equestrian statues of Roman emperors to the steeds of Renaissance princes. But consider, too, the horse in a different light—not just as a symbol of triumph, but of burden. Think of the Trojan Horse, a deceptive gift carrying destruction within. The collective memory of war and its psychological impact can be profound. Perhaps Majerník taps into this duality, reminding us that these figures, though mounted on symbols of strength, are still tethered to the earth, burdened by duty and the weight of history. The non-linear progression of this symbol resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.