Twee paarden in een stal c. 1824 - 1827

Curator: This is "Two Horses in a Stable," a drawing by Théodore Fourmois, dating from around 1824 to 1827. It’s currently held in the Rijksmuseum. What’s your take as we look at it? Editor: Oh, it's beautifully moody! Sort of gothic, almost—that arched window in the background reminds me of a tiny cathedral. I feel the cold of the stone just looking at it, mixed with the warmth of hay. Curator: It’s fascinating how Fourmois combines the almost picturesque aesthetic of Romanticism with these very real depictions of labour and rural life. Editor: Definitely a world away from, say, rosy-cheeked milkmaids! It is interesting to see the light diffused from the window hit the glossy coat of one of the horses, yet the scene is not really idealised, is it? There’s a stillness and maybe a melancholy here. It's an interior space, yet with suggestions of freedom. A nice interplay. Curator: Indeed. The choice of subject speaks to the era's fascination with agrarian themes and the dignity of animal labor, especially as industrialisation threatened that way of life. Also, don’t forget the rise of veterinary science at the time, encouraging, perhaps, a new level of appreciation for the wellbeing of farm animals. Editor: Absolutely. I hadn't thought of that last bit... perhaps Fourmois did care a bit about animals' wellbeing and working conditions? It is interesting that these engravings were designed to be widely reproduced and disseminated – a populist aesthetic. But did the "populace" also care, do you think? Curator: Hard to tell intentions with certainty of course, but its clear he wanted this intimate glimpse into the everyday, even if it’s infused with a touch of romantic longing. That combination is so telling, as is the placement of these pieces in public collections, lending them a certain…weight, let’s say. Editor: So we started with a quiet barn scene and ended up smack-bang in the middle of art and social history! Funny how the little things throw the bigger ones into sharper focus.