gericault's Mazeppa

A brief respite from the subject of the bushfires (still waiting to give a big hug to Juno - whether she likes it or not!). 

Here is Gericault's Mazeppa. A man is strapped to the back of a wild horse as a punishment. The horse carries him through the wilderness and back to his 'people' the other wild horses. It is a sublime and terrifying journey, that could be understood as expressing the wild power of desire. 

'The steeds rush on in plunging pride;

But where are they the reins to guide?

A thousand horse and none to ride!

With flowing tail, and flying mane,

Wide nostrils never stretched by pain,

Mouths bloodless to the bit or rein,

And feet that iron never shod,

And flanks unscarred by spur or rod,

A thousand horse, the wild, the free,

Like waves that follow o'er the sea,

Came thickly thundering on ...'

Byron, Mazeppa