Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
“Gazelle, the White Horse,” 1881

Painted when Lautrec was 17, this work shows a white horse gazing from the deep shadows of its stable, its eyes seeming wise and accepting—as if at peace with whatever fate brings.

It recalls an Eastern parable: An old man’s white horse ran away. His neighbors called it a misfortune, but he said, “Don’t be so quick to judge.” Two weeks later, the horse returned with wild horses. They called it good luck; he replied, “Who knows?” Soon the old man’s son broke his legs trying to tame one. The neighbors called it a curse. A year later, war took every able-bodied young man, but the son was spared because of his injury.

Life is a chain of events. What seems a disaster today may become a blessing tomorrow. Don’t panic or rush to conclusions when facing hardship.

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