And not the kind of degeneracy you often see around here.

(Warning: Link contains nudity)

https://scontent-fra3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/12017625_519163004910042_920244410838223745_o.jpg

A little history: This is a one of Scandinavia's biggest oil canvas paintings and it was done by Oscar Matthiesen. It is called "Dragoner rida till bad" or in English "Dragoons riding to bath" and it is currently displayed (to my knowledge) in a stable in Ystad, Sweden which used to be a barracks for one of Sweden's cavalry regiment.

I quickly became fond of this painting as I found it to be the epitome of masculinity, with majestic stallions (the stallion itself being a masculine symbol) and nude soldiers displaying the harmony of a masculine body. In my opinion, this painting is also an ode to the citizen model, and soldier model that people aspired to in the early 20th century and late 19th century. It also shows a Dragoon's (or to be broad, a cavalryman's) attachment to his horse, by depicting the intimacy of going even to the beachside/bath with him.

Cavalrymen were always renowned as men of utmost honour throughout history, with notable examples such as Hungarian Hussars employed especially by the Austrian Empire, Polish Winged Hussars which are the epitome of badassery, Persian Cataphracts, and more.

But, regardless of that, I find the quality and passion behind this work to be worth every commendation!