Frightened Horse Coming Out of the Water 1828

Editor: This is Eugène Delacroix's "Frightened Horse Coming Out of the Water". It’s a drawing, so the stark black and white really heightens the drama. What symbols or motifs stand out to you in this piece? Curator: The horse, a long-standing symbol of power and freedom, here is rendered vulnerable, emerging from darkness. Water itself represents the subconscious, so what fears might Delacroix be exploring? Editor: So you're saying that the horse isn't just a horse, but also a symbol of something deeper? Curator: Precisely! Consider the horse's wild mane, almost Medusa-like, suggesting a confrontation with primal anxieties. How does that inform your reading? Editor: That gives me a new perspective on how powerful symbols can be! Curator: Indeed, Delacroix uses cultural memory to evoke strong emotional responses.