art 061 National Museum of Women in the Arts

The composition presents a nocturnal scene dominated by a dense, stylized forest rendered in shades of blue and grey. The trees appear skeletal, their branches reaching upwards like grasping fingers against a clouded sky. A pervasive sense of unease permeates the atmosphere, amplified by the limited visibility and the unnatural coloration.
Central to the painting are three equine figures. One, positioned slightly forward, is a dark brown horse with an elongated neck, its head raised in what could be interpreted as either alertness or distress. Upon this animal rides a figure draped in white garments, their face obscured but crowned with a vibrant red headdress that flares dramatically. The rider’s posture suggests a regal bearing, yet the overall effect remains unsettling due to the incongruity of the setting and the ambiguous expression conveyed by the headwear.
To the left, another horse is visible, this one predominantly white with a pale green mantle draped over its shoulders. Its gaze is directed downwards, contributing to the feeling of melancholy that pervades the work. A partial view of what appears to be another figure, clad in yellow and red, can be seen on the far left edge of the canvas, further populating the scene with enigmatic presences.
The artist’s use of color is particularly noteworthy. The cool blues and greys establish a somber mood, while the splashes of red and green introduce jarring accents that disrupt any sense of naturalism. This deliberate contrast creates visual tension and invites speculation about the symbolic significance of these hues.
Subtly, the painting seems to explore themes of power, vulnerability, and perhaps even ritualistic practices. The rider’s elevated position atop the horse suggests authority, but this is tempered by the surrounding darkness and the unsettling nature of the environment. The horses themselves might represent primal forces or symbolic vehicles for these figures journeys. The obscured faces of both the rider and the partially visible figure on the left contribute to a sense of mystery, suggesting that their identities are not meant to be readily apparent. Ultimately, the work resists easy interpretation, instead offering a dreamlike vision steeped in symbolism and psychological depth.