Paarden op weg naar de markt 1822

Théodore Géricault made this print of horses on their way to market at an unknown date, using lithography. Géricault lived in a France marked by revolution and social change, and like many artists of his time, he sought to capture the spirit and energy of modern life. Here, we see a group of horses and their handlers in transit. The landscape is barren, and the horses appear to be the only source of life and movement. The print captures a sense of transition and displacement that speaks to the changing social and economic conditions of 19th-century France. Géricault was known for his interest in the lives of ordinary people, and his works often depicted scenes of everyday life. This print is no exception, as it offers a glimpse into the world of rural commerce and the lives of those who depended on it. Through his attention to detail and his ability to capture the emotional nuances of his subjects, Géricault invites us to reflect on the human condition and the challenges of modern life.