Two men skinning a horse that is lying on the ground with its hooves in the air, from 'Various cavalry exercises' (Diverses exercices de cavalerie) 1642 - 1645

This etching by Stefano della Bella, from a series on cavalry exercises, presents a stark image: two men skinning a horse. The horse, with its hooves raised in a final, silent protest, becomes a potent symbol. This act of skinning strips away identity, reducing the animal to a mere object. Consider the flaying of Marsyas in ancient myth, a motif explored throughout art history. The skinning of the horse may symbolize vulnerability and the loss of vitality, but in other contexts, it has represented triumph and transformation, as with the myth of the phoenix being reborn from ashes. It taps into our subconscious understanding of life’s fragility and the cyclical nature of existence. The image resonates with a raw, primal energy, compelling us to confront the uncomfortable truths of mortality and change, echoing through time in various forms.