Rytter med ridepisk i hånden. Trekvart figur. 1609 - 1670

Karel van Mander III made this drawing of a rider with a whip in his hand sometime in the 17th century. The Netherlands in this period saw the rise of a wealthy merchant class, keen to display their status through art. This drawing reflects a culture of horsemanship and the military, where a riding crop indicated authority and social standing. The image is a study of power, reflecting a hierarchical society where the ability to command extended beyond the battlefield into everyday life. Van Mander was working within a network of patronage where the production of art was intimately tied to social status. Understanding this drawing requires attention to the social structures of the time. We must consider the role of the artist, the patron, and the audience in shaping its meaning. Researching the social history of the Dutch Golden Age will provide a richer understanding of this striking image.