Ruiter met een paard aan de hand c. 1787 - 1801

Jean Louis Darcis created this print, titled 'Ruiter met een paard aan de hand,' which translates to ‘Horse and handler’, sometime before his death in 1801. The man, finely dressed in riding boots, breeches and a long coat, along with the saddled horse, speaks to the culture of leisure and status in the late 18th century. During this era, equestrian sports were closely associated with the aristocracy and military elites. This wasn't simply about owning a horse; it was about projecting an image of power, wealth, and social standing. The meticulous depiction of the horse's musculature and the man’s attire suggests an admiration for physical prowess and refined taste. Consider, too, that the focus on the relationship between humans and animals also hints at broader colonial narratives of control and domination, where both the land and its inhabitants were seen as resources to be managed. How does this image play into this culture? What does it suggest about the role of man in controlling nature at this historical juncture?