Het temmen van een paard 1775 - 1833

Jean Bernard created this drawing, "Het temmen van een paard," or "Taming a Horse," using graphite. The image presents a fraught encounter between humans and animals. Consider the social hierarchy implied by the act of 'taming'. This drawing, made in the Netherlands, raises questions about human control over the natural world. How did 18th-century Dutch society view its relationship with animals? Was it purely utilitarian, or were there elements of respect and understanding? Bernard made this sketch in preparation for a print. The institutional history of printmaking is highly relevant here. Prints democratized images, making them available to a wider public. How might this image of taming a horse have been received by different social classes? To fully understand this drawing, one could research the history of horsemanship in the Netherlands, the social status of animals, and the cultural significance of the print medium. The meaning of art always depends on its social and institutional context.