Grutter op een paard 1892 - 1940

Curator: This is Henri Verstijnen's pen and ink drawing, "Grutter op een paard," which roughly translates to "Grocer on a horse," created sometime between 1892 and 1940. Editor: It's striking how stark it is, just black ink on off-white paper. It's such a simple scene, a horse in a field, but the thick lines and the shadow make it feel almost heavy. Curator: The image of the horse is particularly loaded with symbolism. Historically, horses have been symbols of power, virility, and freedom. Here though, weighed down with the harness and, frankly, rather stout, it seems to represent labor, the work that underlies society. Editor: Yes, I agree. There's a real tension between that inherent symbolism of power and freedom and its reality, which appears to be one of service. It calls into question the nature of labour itself – is it inherently oppressive? What freedoms are surrendered in the service of capitalism? Curator: I'm drawn to the small bird perched on the horse's back. In many traditions, birds represent freedom and the soul. Here, perhaps it symbolizes the soul of the working class, briefly finding rest or even directing its burden. It introduces a flicker of hope or even humor, defying the weight. Editor: Interesting. To me, the bird feels almost parasitic, clinging to the horse's back, suggesting perhaps how exploitation is normalized or the way smaller entities take advantage of larger systems, without offering substantial reciprocity. Curator: It's a fascinating tension. Looking at the original meaning of the image and reading today it shows how different cultures see it. And looking closely, you can see how the penstrokes capture not just form, but a specific kind of movement and presence, especially in the horse's face and the detailed feathering of the bird. Editor: Yes, even in its apparent simplicity, the artist encapsulates complex social and economic tensions. The drawing provides ample food for thought!