Ruiter begeleidt twee paarden c. 1787 - 1801

Jean Louis Darcis created this image of a rider and two horses, using etching, in the late 18th century. The image provides a glimpse into the culture of the period, where horses were a symbol of wealth and power and a necessary part of everyday life. It is important to reflect on the relationship between humans and animals. The horses in the image are presented as objects of utility and status. The rider guides them with authority, reinforcing a hierarchy that was very typical of the 1700's. We are invited to reflect on what it means to exert control over another living being. During this time European society was on the cusp of dramatic change. The seeds of revolution were being sown. Darcis' image captures a fleeting moment in time, before the old order was swept away. It evokes a sense of nostalgia for a way of life that was already beginning to fade. The image serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in the past.