Paardenhoofd met hoofdstel en gareel 1815 - 1860

Abraham Hendrik Winter made this image of a horse’s head with bridle and harness as an etching in the Netherlands sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The image presents a horse burdened with the marks of its servitude. We see the equipment that allows humans to harness its power and control its movements. It is a stark reminder of the social hierarchy that existed at the time, not just between people, but between humans and animals. The etching technique lends itself to the creation of detailed and precise images, reflecting the scientific and empirical spirit of the 19th century, when the Dutch economy relied heavily on agriculture and trade, in which horses played a crucial role. This image may have served as a study aid or a model for other artists. To fully understand this work, we would need to look at the social and economic conditions of the Netherlands in the 19th century, delving into archives and libraries to uncover the meanings and values attached to images of horses.