Combat of Four Horsemen for the Standard c. 17th century

Editor: This is Gérard Edelinck's "Combat of Four Horsemen for the Standard". It's quite chaotic, like a snapshot of pure conflict. The horses and riders are so intertwined! What symbols stand out to you in this piece? Curator: The intertwined chaos itself is a powerful symbol, isn't it? Consider the horse, a long-standing symbol of power and war. Here, it's not just a means of transport, but an active participant, mirroring the riders' aggression. Note the downward gaze of the central horse, its mouth open ready to attack; it's a mirror for the rage and chaos in the scene. What kind of rage do you think this scene embodies? Editor: A rage to conquer? To win? Curator: Exactly. And does that type of rage feel timeless? Editor: It does; it feels like an image of eternal conflict. Curator: Precisely. We see history repeating itself. Editor: That's a profound thought. I'll remember that.