Paard c. 1631 - 1633

Gerard ter Borch the Younger made this drawing of a horse in the Netherlands, sometime in the 17th century. Horses held a particularly important role in Dutch society at this time, functioning as working animals and status symbols. Here, the horse is depicted from behind, its head slightly turned as if looking back, challenging the viewer's gaze. Rather than a symbol of power, Ter Borch captures a sense of vulnerability and individual presence. Consider the relationship between humans and animals during this period, in which the lives of animals, their labor and bodies, were instrumentalized. By focusing on the horse's perspective, Ter Borch seems to grant the animal agency. This drawing isn’t just an image of a horse; it invites us to reflect on the nature of seeing, being seen, and the complex relationships between beings.