Orlando Furioso 

This illustration by Gustave Doré visualizes a scene from Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso. The most striking symbol here is the Hippogriff, a creature with the head of an eagle and the body of a horse, carrying a knight, through a dense forest. This fantastical hybrid creature echoes the ancient fascination with composite beings, found in mythologies across cultures. Consider the griffin from ancient Persia and Greece, symbolizing power and vigilance, or the centaur, embodying the dual nature of man and beast. The Hippogriff’s appearance here is not merely decorative; it represents the synthesis of intellect and instinct, a powerful force for the knight's journey. Observe how Doré renders the creature with a sense of wild energy, a subconscious expression of the untamed and irrational aspects of the human psyche. These symbols are never truly lost. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, constantly engaging us on a deep, subconscious level.