Ochtendrit van paard en ruiter 1830 - 1850

Victor Adam created this lithograph, "Ochtendrit van paard en ruiter", or "Morning Ride of Horse and Rider", sometime in the first half of the 19th century. It depicts a lancer, a type of European cavalry soldier, on horseback, with a dog running alongside. The image speaks to several aspects of 19th-century European culture. The military figure suggests the rise of nationalism and militarism in Europe at this time. The depiction of a lancer shows the glorification of military service and the association of soldiers with heroism. Equestrianism itself was a preserve of the upper classes, and was a potent symbol of status and power. Leisure activities such as riding and hunting were important markers of social class. To understand Adam’s image fully, we would want to know more about the institutional context in which it was made. Was he commissioned by the military? Was he working for a popular print shop selling images to a middle-class audience eager for images of military life? Researching the print’s production and reception would reveal a great deal about the values and beliefs of the time.