Hoofd van een paard met oogkleppen, naar rechts 1815

Jean Bernard made this sketch, "Head of a Horse with Blinders, Facing Right," with graphite on paper. Although undated, the presence of blinders asks us to consider the historical and cultural treatment of animals. Horses were essential for transportation, agriculture, and warfare. Bernard's sketch prompts us to consider the intersection of labor, control, and the natural world. The blinders symbolize a restriction of vision and freedom, reflecting a human desire to control and direct the animal’s energy and labor. While horses were important for societal development, their individual experiences of labor were often overlooked. This is in parallel to the labor of the working classes during the industrial revolution. How does this image resonate with our contemporary understanding of the relationship between humans, animals, and labor? What does it mean to limit another being's perspective in order to harness their power?