Lege koets getrokken door vier paarden c. 1840 - 1860

Charles Rochussen created this pencil drawing of a horse-drawn carriage in the Netherlands in the mid-19th century. This era was a time of significant social and economic change in the country, as it transitioned from an agrarian society to an industrial one. The drawing depicts a scene of wealth and privilege, with a fancy carriage pulled by four horses. The image evokes the opulence enjoyed by the upper class at the time. Rochussen may have been commenting on the social inequalities that existed in Dutch society during this period. The presence of a man on horseback could suggest military power. To truly understand the drawing, we need to delve deeper into the social and political history of the Netherlands in the 19th century. By examining newspapers, archives, and other historical sources, we can gain a better understanding of the context in which it was created and the messages it conveys about class, power, and social change.