----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Re: horses legs.

We have quoted that article from LJ to the public, but the current wisdom is
that the "meanings" are a bunch of malarky-- interesting folklore.

Stephanie Sigala

At 03:22 PM 12/16/98 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>We were asked about the significance of the position of the horse's legs
>in equestrian statues. We have a reference in our files to LJ July 1950,
>an article on hard to find answers, which says: 1)all four legs on the
>ground - the rider escaped unscathed in every engagement; 2) one front leg
>raised - the rider was wounded; 3) both front legs raised - he died in
>battle. The source quoted is the Infantry Journal. I would like to confirm
>this. The long artlcle in the Dictionary of Art says nothing about
>symbolism. In a book on New York City memorials it is stated that one leg
>raised symbolizes victory -- originally, the body of the defeated enemy
>would have been shown under the horse's feet. I've not been able to find
>anything else in recent sources. Any leads or information gratefully
>received.
>
>Stanley Shiebert
>        Librarian                       PHONE:  (206) 386-4615
>        Fine and Performing Arts        FAx:  (206) 386-4616
>        Seattle Public Library
>        1000 Fourth Avenue              INTERNET:  <a href="/scripts/wa.exe?LOGON=A3%3Dind9812%26L%3DARLIS-L%26E%3D7BIT%26P%3D323895%26B%3D--%26T%3Dtext%252FplainTEXT%252FPLAIN%3B%2520charset%3DUS-ASCII%26pending%3D" target="_parent" >[log in to unmask]</a>
>        Seattle, WA 98104
>
>
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St. Louis Art Museum                          314-721-4911 (fax)
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