The Dover Express 1832

Charles B. Newhouse created this watercolor painting of ‘The Dover Express’ sometime in the 19th century. Note the prominent display of the horses, symbols of virility and untamed power, pulling the stagecoach. The motif of horses in motion, as depicted here, carries echoes of equestrian statues of Roman emperors, symbols of power and control. Yet, while the Romans sought to convey authority, here, there is an evocation of speed, progress, and the dynamism of modern life. This archetype of harnessing animal vigor to convey human intent has evolved from symbols of dominance to emblems of progress and connectivity. The spirited horses resonate with a psychological imperative: the human drive to overcome limitations. This potent symbol, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, engages us on an emotional level, stirring primal instincts and desires. Just as the horse evolved from beast of burden to a symbol of prestige, so to can symbols resurface, transformed by time and circumstance, carrying us forward on the currents of cultural memory.