Plate XLVIII 18th-19th century

Curator: Here we have "Plate XLVIII" by Jacques-Francois-Joseph Swebach, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's...sparse. The lines are so delicate, almost hesitant, yet the scene feels bustling. Curator: Swebach often depicted scenes involving horses and everyday life. This etching shows clear signs of the artist's understanding of equestrian subjects popular during his time. Editor: The horses dominate, of course. The couple near the wagon… is there a story there? The dog, too, gives a sense of domesticity juxtaposed with the working animals. Curator: Consider the labor involved. Each horse is a tool, a commodity. The scene speaks to the economics of transport and the daily interactions required to keep it all in motion. Editor: But the horses, despite their utilitarian function, are rendered with such care. Each one has a distinct posture, as if Swebach sought to capture their individual spirits. It's a subtle, yet powerful, anthropomorphism. Curator: Perhaps Swebach sought to ennoble the labor and the materials that facilitate daily life. Editor: A fascinating interplay of symbols and the human drama embedded in everyday activity. It's a reminder that stories are always unfolding, even in the most ordinary settings.