Ruitergevecht 1867 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner created this dynamically charged drawing of a cavalry battle. The most striking element is perhaps the rearing horse and the fallen rider—a motif that echoes through art history, symbolizing chaos and the ephemeral nature of triumph. Consider, for instance, the iconic image of a horseman falling in battle, a theme that dates back to ancient Roman friezes, embodying the precariousness of human endeavor. This motif resurfaces in Delacroix’s dramatic scenes, where the rearing horse conveys not just physical dominance but also the psychological intensity of conflict. The collective memory of such imagery taps into our subconscious understanding of power, vulnerability, and the eternal struggle between opposing forces. Breitner's work, like those before it, engages us on a profound, almost primal level, reminding us of the enduring human drama played out across the canvas of time.