Paard van voren 1660

Moses ter Borch drew this 'Paard van voren', or 'Horse from the Front' with pen in grey around the mid-17th Century. This drawing epitomizes the Dutch Golden Age fascination with the natural world, but also reflects the societal role of animals, particularly horses. The horse was essential for transport, agriculture, and military endeavors during this period. The image might, therefore, represent the social conditions that shaped artistic production in the Netherlands, where the depiction of animals was not merely aesthetic but also a reflection of their economic and strategic importance. To understand the context of this drawing, researchers might explore the social and economic history of the Dutch Golden Age, looking at military records, trade documents, and agricultural practices. This approach helps us understand art not just as an aesthetic object, but as a historical artifact contingent on its social and institutional context.