Ruiter op een steigerend paard c. 1846 - 1882

Cornelis Springer made this drawing, "Ruiter op een steigerend paard", as a page in a sketchbook. The drawing is dominated by the stark contrast between the sketchily rendered rider and the otherwise blank page. Springer captures the horse in mid-rear, a dynamic pose that suggests potential energy, yet the limited detail keeps the scene static. Notice how the cool tones of the rider's attire provide a somber counterpoint to the warm hues of his face. The composition is interesting because Springer leaves so much of the page untouched. This use of negative space invites us to consider the interplay between presence and absence. It raises questions about what is included versus what is intentionally left out. Ultimately, it is up to the viewer to determine whether this sketch is merely incomplete or a commentary on the selective nature of representation itself.