Group of Seven Horses 1534

Hans Baldung created this woodcut, titled "Group of Seven Horses," in 1534. His lifetime spanned a period of immense religious and social upheaval sparked by the Reformation, influencing much of his art. Baldung was known for his fascination with themes of death, witchcraft, and the complex relationships between men and women. This work, though seemingly a study of equine anatomy, offers us a lens into the cultural values of the time, where horses were potent symbols of status, virility, and power. The animals are crammed into a dense thicket with the effect of barely-contained masculine energy. But there's more to it. The knot of horses creates a sense of unease, suggesting themes of untamed nature, irrationality and the body. Look closely at the expressions of the horses, some appear distressed, others wild. The artist compels us to examine our relationship to the natural world and question the boundaries between control and chaos.