Horse Loaded with Artist’s Paraphernalia 

John Sell Cotman sketched this horse loaded with artist’s gear in the 19th century. The horse, a symbol of vitality, labor, and faithful companionship, carries the tools of artistic creation – easel, canvas, palette. This imagery evokes associations with the nomadic wanderings of the artist. Like medieval craftsmen moving from place to place, the artist ventures out to capture the essence of the world. Recall the ancient Roman equestrian statues, where the horse elevated its rider to almost divine status. Yet here, the horse serves art, a more modest but equally ennobling purpose. The psychological element cannot be dismissed. The horse, burdened yet moving forward, mirrors the artist’s own journey, laden with the weight of tradition and the yearning for innovation. This cyclical progression, from ancient symbols of power to the artist's humble companion, shows how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.