Gezicht op het Leidseplein in Amsterdam met rijtuigverkeer op een winterse dag 1890 - 1910

This photograph of the Leidseplein in Amsterdam, captured by George Hendrik Breitner, presents a wintery tableau of urban life. Amidst the falling snow, horse-drawn carriages stand as symbols of transit and connection. Consider how the image of the horse, a beast of burden since antiquity, has been emblematic of status. As we see here, the carriage drivers convey more than just people. They embody social class and the capacity to navigate the world with ease. One could draw a parallel to ancient Roman chariots or even equestrian statues of emperors. The horse also symbolizes a connection to nature, a life force tamed yet still wild. Looking at the recurring motifs of transport, one can trace their evolution across epochs, revealing a cyclical return to the foundational need for human connection. Each time, the image resurfaces, adapting to reflect humanity’s ever-changing relationship with time, space, and each other.