Prøveblad med jockeyer og kane 1795 - 1854

N.B. Krossing created this study of jockeys and a sleigh sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The artist lived through Denmark's transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy and died five years after the introduction of the new constitution. Looking at the figures here, we see the jockey as a figure of speed and skill while the sleigh's passengers appear more stately and still. The artist depicts the jockey's bodies in motion, actively participating in the scene. In contrast, the other figures are more passive, with their class status defining their role in this image. Is Krossing making a social commentary on the old order versus the new? The artist is asking us to consider how the body, class, and identity are intertwined. This work captures a pivotal moment in Danish history, reflecting on the shifting social dynamics of the time.