Rosetta 1839 - 1843

Editor: This is Fritz Thomsen's "Rosetta," painted with oil on canvas between 1839 and 1843. The scene depicts horses in a stable. There's a sense of calm and quiet here, even though the horses are large animals. How do you interpret the social context around this particular artwork, its possible function or the values of that society? Curator: Well, the genre painting style during this period, particularly animal portraits, catered to the rising middle class who had acquired wealth and sought ways to display their status. Depicting well-bred horses, as seen here, can be interpreted as a symbol of wealth, power, and agrarian success. What elements make you say there’s "calm and quiet?" Editor: Perhaps it’s the way the figures seem so contained, the groom is lurking. Plus, the soft, diffused light adds to the tranquility. Were there specific equestrian events or cultural factors that elevated the status of horses during this time? Curator: Absolutely. The 19th century witnessed an increased interest in horse racing and equestrian sports, fuelled by aristocratic patronage and, gradually, middle-class participation. Paintings like "Rosetta" served not just as records but also as visual affirmations of social standing and engagement in these prestigious activities. Consider how the painting’s display within a home further reinforced these messages. Editor: That makes perfect sense! I hadn’t really considered how the very act of owning and displaying the art itself reinforced social hierarchies. I can now see that the social dynamics influenced artistic output a lot! Curator: Indeed. Reflecting on it now, how might the absence of overt action within the painting – the ‘calm and quiet’ you observed – serve a social purpose, perhaps reinforcing notions of control, order, and refinement associated with the upper classes?