We got closer to these agile monsters Gustave Dore (1832-1883)

The drawing presents a dynamic and chaotic scene populated by figures exhibiting both human and animal characteristics. Here we observe several centaurs – creatures with the upper bodies of men and the lower bodies of horses – engaged in what appears to be a violent confrontation. They are positioned on an elevated, rocky terrain that descends sharply towards a body of water.
The composition is dominated by movement; the centaurs are depicted mid-stride, their postures conveying urgency and aggression. Several hold bows drawn taut, while others wield spears, suggesting an active pursuit or defense. The artist has employed strong diagonal lines to emphasize this sense of motion and instability. The figures’ musculature is rendered with considerable detail, contributing to a feeling of raw power and physicality.
Below the centaurs, in the water, lie several human forms. They are depicted in varying states of distress – some appear submerged, others struggle against the current. Arrows protrude from their bodies, indicating they have been targeted by the centaurs above. The placement of these figures within the water creates a visual separation between the aggressors and their victims, reinforcing a sense of hierarchy and dominance.
The background is rendered with less detail, consisting primarily of indistinct hills and a cloudy sky. This lack of specificity directs the viewers attention to the central action unfolding in the foreground. The monochromatic palette contributes to the overall dramatic effect, enhancing the starkness of the scene and evoking a sense of timelessness or mythic narrative.
Subtextually, the drawing seems to explore themes of conflict, predation, and the precarious relationship between humanity and nature. The centaurs, as hybrid beings, may symbolize the inherent duality within human existence – the struggle between reason and instinct, civilization and savagery. Their attack on the humans could be interpreted as a representation of primal forces overwhelming societal structures or a commentary on the destructive potential residing within unchecked power. The water itself might represent chaos or an inescapable fate, while the elevated position of the centaurs suggests their superiority over those struggling below.