Paardenhoofd met hoofdstel 1809 - 1859

Pieter de Goeje made this drawing of a horse’s head with a bridle, but its exact date is unknown. De Goeje was active during a period of social upheaval in Europe that followed the French Revolution. The image might appear as a simple, even innocuous, portrait of an animal. But consider the significance of horses in the 19th century. Horses were essential for transportation, agriculture, and warfare. The power dynamic between humans and animals—the way we use and control them—reflects broader societal power structures. The bridle, a symbol of control, reminds us of the horse's subjugated position. Is this just a study of animal anatomy, or does it invite us to think about the complexities of power, control, and the ethics of our relationship with the natural world? In de Goeje’s drawing, we see not just a horse, but a reflection of the social and moral landscape of his time.