Analyzing the Symbolism of the Equine in Art Focusing on Four Key Examples

This essay focuses on key examples of equestrian art considered chronologically. 

I begin my examination with the earliest artworks that we know of, the Lascaux Cave Paintings, and conclude with a contemporary collection of photographs, A Tribute to Picasso. Other works that bridge this chronological gap are the horse sculptures in the Terra Cotta Army, located in the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and the painting Napoleon Crossing the Alps. Each work is executed with a different medium and originates from a different culture and period. 

While all of these artworks use the horse as a theme, each piece had a different intended purpose. Researching the intended purpose of each work allows me to discern the symbolic meaning of each horse. The intended purpose of the Lascaux Cave Paintings is thought to be to call for good luck on the hunt. The Terra Cotta Army was created to ensure the safety of the First Emperor in the afterlife. Napoleon Crossing the Alps glorified the French Emperor as a heroic military leader. A Tribute to Picasso is a collection of portraits meant to tell the story of a wild stallion’s life. However, I investigate what the horse symbolizes in each case. 

Methodologically, I compare and contrast the artworks, and I research the purpose of each work. Through these means, I show the value and symbolism of the horse in each work, despite changes in style, media, and period. 

While others have admired the beauty of the equine in these examples, I go a step further and analyze what each tells us about the symbolic meaning of the horse in each work.