Reizigers voor een herberg c. 1733 - 1762

This print, titled "Reizigers voor een herberg" by Jean Moyreau, captures a scene brimming with 18th-century life. Notice the prominent image of travelers arriving at an inn. The horse motif, repeated throughout, holds deep symbolic weight. Horses have long been associated with nobility, power, and journeys. Recall equestrian statues of Roman emperors – the horse embodies not just physical transport, but also the rider's status and dominion. Yet, here, the weary animals suggest a shared vulnerability, as both riders and beasts seek respite. Even the inn itself, a recurring symbol of sanctuary across cultures, harks back to ancient Greek temples offering refuge. The scene is a tableau of human experience, echoing through time. It reminds us that even symbols of power, like the horse, are grounded in our shared need for rest, sustenance, and connection. These are yearnings that transcend time, and resonate deeply within our collective memory.