Ruiter, paard en honden afzijdig van jachttafereel c. 1825 - 1827

Bernard Édouard Swebach made this print, "Ruiter, paard en honden afzijdig van jachttafereel," or “Horseman, horse and dogs apart from the hunting scene,” sometime between 1800 and 1870. Swebach was known for his depictions of military and equestrian subjects, which catered to the tastes of the European aristocracy and reflected the importance of hunting as a pastime and a marker of social status. In this print, a lone horseman descends a steep hill accompanied by dogs, set apart from the main hunting party in the background. Swebach captures a sense of individual agency amid the structured spectacle of the hunt. But I'm also wondering who had access to this spectacle? Who was invited to participate in the hunt, and who was excluded? The print encapsulates both the thrill of the chase and the social hierarchies that governed 19th-century European society. It's a glimpse into a world of privilege and tradition, inviting us to reflect on the power dynamics and cultural values embedded within such scenes.