Horseman with Peasant 

Giuseppe Bernardino Bison sketched "Horseman with Peasant" with pen and brown ink, capturing a scene laden with enduring symbols. The horse and rider, an age-old motif, immediately evoke power, control, and social hierarchy. But consider the peasant. Clad in simple garments, the figure embodies humility and the weight of labor. This juxtaposition isn’t unique to Bison; we see echoes in ancient Roman equestrian statues towering over subjugated figures, or even in Renaissance paintings where saints ride triumphantly while the common folk look on. The horse, throughout history, has undergone a fascinating metamorphosis, from a symbol of raw, untamed energy to a refined emblem of nobility and military might. In our collective memory, it’s a potent image, stirring deep-seated notions of authority and class. Bison taps into this, triggering subconscious associations that speak volumes about the relationship between the figures depicted, and the viewer themselves. Bison’s sketch underscores the non-linear dance of symbols through time, constantly reshaped by culture and circumstance, yet forever resonating with primal human emotions.