Man and Horse Compared
Seeing sculpture compared to painting
Contrasted imagery alluding to victory
With victor being both man and animal
Subservience dominates both images
Bare head and feet noticeable to viewer
A horse head raised; the other lowered
Who are these men and beasts?
Smug facial expression common to both
Though can a horse hold airs superior
To rider upon his back, dominated?
Both larger than life, one four legged
One dressed aristocratically, they stand
Victorious in unknown battle, while other
Remains forever weary, worn, and tired
We shall never know their stories
Their images captured for posterity
Eternally the dominant and dominated
Two men and two horses compared
Two lives and circumstances contrasted
Beasts and their mounts and masters
Of human flesh; of horse flesh together
Beautiful this artwork upon mine soul.
© 2014 CM Davidson
[On the comparison of Donatello’s Equestrian Monument of Erasmo Da Narni (1443-1453) and Anthony van Dyck’s Charles I at the Hunt (1635)]
Copyright © C.M. Davidson-Pickett | Year Posted 2014
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