Rosa Bonheur, The Horse Fair, 1852-1855

Did you know that the oldest known depictions of horses date back 36,000 years and can be found in the Chauvet Cave?

Since prehistoric times, horses have fascinated humans. Long before museums and paintings existed, their silhouettes already appeared on cave walls, drawn with careful attention to the animal’s movement and energy. These ancient images reveal a deep connection between humans and the living world.

Over time, the horse became an essential companion in daily life. It accompanied work, travel, war, and hunting, and became a central figure in countless artworks. Paintings and sculptures depict a powerful, controlled, sometimes idealized animal, often associated with strength, courage, or prestige.

But the horse is not only represented as it appears in reality. It also fuels the imagination. In the Middle Ages, it inspired the mythical creature we know as the unicorn. In modern times, artists went even further: the horse became shape, rhythm, and energy, sometimes blending into abstraction, as seen in Kandinsky’s work.

This playlist offers a journey through these transformations—an invitation to discover how, across the centuries, the horse reflects not only our relationship with animals but also the way we see and represent the world.

Discover all the content in the playlist!